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HISTORY 



OF 



SACO AND BIDDEFORD, 



WITH NOTICES OF OTHER 



EARL,Y SETTLEMEJVTSi 




AND OF THE 



opvittav^ iSfoijetnmtnts, 



IN MAINE, 



NCLUDING THE PROVINCES OP 



NEW SOMERSETSHIRE AND LYGONIA. 

^ 

BY GEORGE FOJLSOM. 



SACOj 

printed by alex. c. putnam. 

1830. 



P3 

r <' - ''\ 






DISTRICT OF MAINE, to ikit : : "f 

Dihrict Clerk's Office. 
i(^^»*»^.<5>' Be it remembereDj that on the WiirtieJto'day of April, A. 
\ f S \ ^* J^^"^^> i" ^''^ fifty-fourth year ofrhe Independence of the 
J^ * * N United Statks of America, George Folsom, of the said 
▼'"^''''''V' district, has deposited in this office the title of a book, the 
right whereof he claims as pioprieior, in the words following, to icit : 
"A Histoiy of S<ico and Biddeford, with notices of other Early 
Settlements, and of the Proprietary Governments in Maine, including 
the Provinces of New Somersetshire and Lygonia. By George Fol- 
som." 

In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, enti- 
tled "An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies 
of maps, charts, and books, to the auvliors and proprietors of such 
copies, during the times therein mentioned ;" and aiso to jsn act enti- 
tled "An Act suppleinentaiy to an act entitled, 'an act for the en- 
couragement of 'learning, by secL.'-ing the copies of maps, charts and 
books the authors and pioprieiuif of t-nch copies during the times 
therein mentioned ;' and extending the beaefiis thereof to the arts of 



desio^muff, engraving and etching historical and other prints." 
* J. MUSSEY, Clerk of the District of . 



Maine, 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



The materials for the greater part of the present vol- 
ume have been gathered from unpublished and forgotten 
documents. Wherever the writer has derived aid from 
the labors of others, he has acknowledged the obligation 
by a reference to their pages. Unfortunately the settle- 
ments in Maine have been almost wholly neglected by 
New England historians. Until the publication of Gov. 
Sullivan's work, there was nothing found relating to them, 
except a few scattered notices in the earlier writers. 
The attempt of that distinguished gentleman to embody 
the history of his native District, in the midst of his nu- 
merous and important avocations, is honorable to his me- 
mory, and merits the gratitude of the people of Maine. 
It is a subject of regret, however, that in connection with 
so :nuch valuable research, numerous errors of the tran- 
scriber, or the press, escaped the author, as well as 
others occasioned by a deficiency of materials, or a hasty 
examlijation of ancient records and documents. This 
circumstance renders the work an unsafe guide, and leaves 
the inquirer without the means of obtaining a salisfjirtory 
knowledge of the early history of Maine, unless he has 
recourse to original papers. There seemed thus to ex- 
ist a necessity for presenting in the following pages a 
sketch of the old provincial jurisdictions under which the 
towns successively passed, which has accordingly been 
attempted. 

The writer gratefully acknowledges the important aid 
which he has received in t'le prosecution of his inquiries, 
from gentlemen whose official situations have enabled 



IV ADVERTISEMENT. 

them to render it. He is particularly indebted to Ed- 
ward D. Bangs, Esq. Secretary of Massachusetts ;" 
Jeremiah Goodwin, Esq. Register of Deeds, and Jere- 
miah Bradbury, Esq. Clerk of the Courts, in York 
County. 

His thanks are likewise due to James Gray and Ed- 
mund Coffin, Esquires, clerks of Saco and Biddeford, 
for the friendly manner in which they have afforded ac- 
cess to the records in their possession. To various indi- 
viduals of both towns he is indebted for the use of private 
papers, and the communication of facts, contributing to 
the local interest of the work. 

In reference to ancient inhabitants of the towns who 
removed from or to other parts of New England, the 
writer has relied on the abundant information of Messrs. 
John Farmer, of Concord, N. H. and Joshua Coffin, 
of Newbury, Mass. to whom he is under great obligations 
for kindly according the assistance desired from time to 
time. 

The feelings with which the writer dismisses his hum- 
ble pages, are happily expressed in the following prelimi- 
nary passage from a work to which the remarks are cer- 
tainly far less applicable than to the present. 

"To please all sorts of readers, I know is impossible : 
he, who writes with such hopes, is a stranger to human 
nature, and will be infallibly disappointed. My design is 
rather to inform than please. He, who delights only in 
pages shining with illustrious characters, the contentions 
of armies, the rise and fall of empires, and other grand 
events, must have recourse to the great authors of anti- 
quity. A detail of the little transactions, which concern 
a colony, scant in its jurisdiction, and still struggling with 
tlie difficulties naturally attending its infant state, to gen- 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



tlemen of this taste can furnish no entertainment. The 
ensuing narrative (for it deserves not the name of a his- 
tory, though for brevity's sake I have given it that title) 
presents us only a regular thread of simple facts ; and 
even those unembellished with reflexions, because they 
themselves suggest the proper remarks ; and most readers 
will, doubtless, be best pleased with their own.'* 
Sago, 30 April, 1830. 



SUMMARY OF THE CHAPTERS, 



PART FIRST. 

1. Voyages of discovery. 

2. Paients from the King, and the Council of Plymouth. 

3. First permanent settlements. 

4. Jurisdictions established. 

5. Notict^s of the Gorges ; Rich. Vines ; Robert Child. 

6. Eariy Clergymen. 

7. Usurpation of Mass. Bay. Government of the 

Kind's Commissioners. 

8. Commencement of the town records. Purchase of 

the Biddeford patent by William Phillips. 

9. Notict-s of the first Colonists. 

10. Minii.^ters. — Sttli Fletcher; Barnabas Chauncy; 

William Milburne. 

11. Government resumed by Mass. Bay. Sale of the 

Province. 

12. First Indian War. 

13. Maj. Phillips. Brian Pendleton. Benj. Blackman. 

14. Division of Lewis and Bonython's patent. Names 

of the inhabitants. 

15. Troubles with the Indians. Chronology. 

PART SECOND. 

1. Re-settlement of the town. The name Biddeford 

adopted. Divisions of estates. 

2. Indian War. 

3. Ministers. Settlement of Rev. Samuel Willard. 

4. Sfctilenicnt of Rev. Moses Morrill. Notices of the 

inhabitants. Indian troubles. 
6. Division o* H. Scamman's estate. Sir V»\ Peppe- 
reil. Physicians. Merchants. Mechanics. 

6. East side of the river incorporated. Settlement of 

Rtrv. John Fairfield. Governor Sullivan. Phy- 
sicians. Roads and Bridges. 

7. Revolntiona*} War. 

8. Notices of inhr,bitants. Religious Societies. 

9. Attorneys. Late impiovtments, &tc. 



HISTORY 



OF 



SACO AJSD BinnEFORD. 



PART FIRST. 



CHAPTER I. 

The discovery of New England may be justly ascri- 
bed to Bartholomew Gosnold, an enterprising and intel- 
ligent navigator, who in the year 1602, performed a voyage 
to this part of North America, before unknown to the 
civilized world. The Cabots had indeed sailed along 
the whole coast of the United States as early as 1497, 
but without setting foot on any part of it.* During the 
succeeding century, the discovery of the river St. Law- 
rence, and a partial exploration of the coasts of Virginia 
and Florida, in the course of a few unsuccessful attempts 
to plant colonies in that quarter, comprised nearly all that 
was contributed towards a further knowledge of North 
America. At the period of Gosnold's voyage, no per- 
manent settlement had been made by civilized nations 
north of the Spanish province of Mexico ; from Florida 
to Greenland, says an accurate writer, not one European 
family could be found. f Although the discovery of the 

*ilees' Cyclop. Art. America. tPrince N. E. Chronology. 1. 

2 



10 HISTORY OF SACO 

New world seems to have been at first duly appreciated in 
Europe, where it was proclaimed as the most remark- 
able event of the age, the North American continent was 
thus suffered to remain unoccupied, and for the most 
part unexplored, for more than a century after its existence 
Was made known. 

Gosnold had sailed to Virginia in the service of Sir 
Walter Raleigh by the old and circuitous route of the 
Canary isles and the West Indies. The voyage of 1602 
was undertaken to prove that a shorter and more direct 
course to America was practicable. On the 26 March 
in that year, he set sail from Falmouth in a small vessel, 
accompanied by a few adventurers who embarked with 
the design of forming a colony in Virginia. The first land 
they discovered after a passage of seven weeks, was in 
latitude about forty three degrees north ; and is supposed 
to have been some part of Maine. It has even been 
said that they landed on our coast, but this statement is 
believed to be incorrect. Continuing their course to the 
south, they discovered the southern shore of Massachu- 
setts and disembarked on an adjacent island, called by 
thenj Elizabeth island, a name it retains to this day. Here 
they remained six weeks, visited the neighboring shore, 
and trafficked with the natives. The colonists made pre- 
parations for a permanent abode ; built a storehouse and 
fort, the remains of which may be still seen* ; but on 
more mature deliberation, being ill supplied with the means 
of subsistence and of defence against the natives, should 
they prove hostile, they relinquished this design and all 
returned to England. Beside accomplishing the chiefl 
object of his voyage, by marking out a course nearly 
one third shorter than that which had been hitherto pur- 
stie.i-)", Gosnold awakened the spirit of enterprise in Eng- 
land by favorable representations of the country he had I 
accidentally discovered. Several of the adventurers who i 
accompanied hisn, after their return published glowing 
descriptions of the fertility and delightful aspect of 



■Belkn, Am. Biog. II. 115. tRobertson's America, book IX § 29. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 11 

these northern shores. "From tlie island," says one of 
them,* "we went right over to the mayne, where we stood 
a while as ravished at the beautie and dilicacy of the 
sweetnesse, besides divers cleare lakes whereof we saw 
no end, and meadows very large and full of greene grasse, 
&ic." They sowed several kinds of grain by way of ex- 
periment, which "in 14 days sprung up 9 inches." A- 
mong the spontaneous productions of the soil were "ground 
nuts as big as egges, as good as Potatoes, and 40 on a 
string, not two ynches under ground." 

A country invested with so many charms, did not fail 
to captivate the imaginations of many adventurers. The 
shortness of the voyage also furnished an inducement 
to new enterprises in the same direction. Through the 
influence of Richard Hakluyt, a clergyman of Bristol, 
already distinguished by his labors for the advancement 
of geographical knowledge, the corporation and mer- 
chants of that city engaged to fit out two vessels for the 
further discovery of the country, which now received the 
name of North Virginia. These vessels, one of which 
was a ship of fifty tons, the other a bark of twenty six 
tons burthen, sailed from Bristol April 10, 1603, under 
the command of Martin Pring, who took for his pilot a 
man that had been with Gosnold the year before. Early in 
June they arrived on the coast of Maine, called by the 
natives Mavoshen, and harbored among the islands of 
Penobscot bay. Thence sailing towards the south and 
passing all the islands as far as the western part of Casco 
bay, they soon after entered four inlets which are thus 
described in the journal of the voyage : 

"The most easterly was barred at the mouth, but hav- 
ing passed over the bar we ran up it for five miles, and 
for a certain space found very good depth. Coming 
out again as we sailed southwest, we lighted on two other 
inlets, which we found to pierce not far into the land. 
The fourth and most westerly was the best, which we 
rowed up ten or twelve miles. In all these places we 
found no people, but signs of fires where they had been."f 

*|ohn Brierton. Srr\ith's Virginia. 107. tPurchas' Pilgrims. 



12 HISTORY OF SACO 

From this brief description Dr. Belknap infers, that 
"the easternmost of the four inlets which they entered, 
was the mouth of the river Sago. The two next were 
Kennebunk and York rivers, and the westernmost and best 
was the Pascataqua." "The reason," he adds, "of their 
finding no people, was that the natives were at that sea- 
son (June) fishing at the falls of the rivers ; and the vesti- 
ges of fires at or near the mouths of the rivers, marked 
the places where they had resided and taken fish in the 
earlier months of spring."* We can see no good cause 
to doubt the accuracy of this opinion, and are thus en- 
abled to assign the date of the discovery of the Saco to 
the year 1603. Capt. Pring continued his course to the 
southern part of Massachusetts, following the track of Gos- 
nold, where having laden his vessels with sassafras and 
furs, he returned to England after an absence of six 
months. 

A second voyage, more particularly directed to the 
coast of Mavoshen or Maine, was performed by this "un- 
derstanding gentleman," as Pring is styled by a writer of 
that period, in the year 1606, under the patronage of 
Chief Justice Popham. The journal of this voyage ap- 
pears not to have been published ; an omission which we 
the more regret, as Sir F. Gorges says, that a perfect dis- 
covery was then made of all the rivers and harbors on 
our coast, and the most exact account of it brought that 
he had ever received. 

A geographical outline of this eastern territory, for 
which the materials were obtained from the journals of: 
these and other early visits to the shores of Maine, was 
drawn up by Mr. Hakluyt, and published by Samuel Pur- 
chas in his great work, entitled "Purchas his Pilgrims, or 
Relations of the World," &ic. The chapter containing 
it. Is headed, "A Description of the country of Mavooshen, 
discovered bv the English in the years 1602, 3, 5, 6, 7, 
8, and 9." 

"Mavooshen," says this writer, "is a countrey lying to 
the North and by East of Virginia between the degrees of 

Belkn. Am. Biog. H. 126. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 13 

43 and 45.'^ It is fortie leagues broad, and fiflie in 
length, lying in breadth East and West, and in length North 
and South. It is bordered on the East side with a coun- 
trey the people whereof they call Tarrantines ; on the 
West with Epistoman, on the North w'ith a great wood 
called Senaglecouna, and on the South with the mayne 
ocean «.ea and many Islands. In Mavooshen it seemeth 
there are nine Rivers," he. The most western of these 
rivers is thus desci'ibed : "Seven daies journey to the 
South west of Ashamahaga there is another river that is 
sixe f^uhoms to the entrance : This river is named the 
Shaw^akotoc, and is halfe a mile broad ; it runneth into 
the lande fiftie daies journey, but foure daies from the 
entrance it is so narrow, that the Trees growing on each 
side doe so crosse with their boughs and bodies on the 
other as it is permitted not by any means to pass with 
boates that way ; for which cause the Inhabitants that on 
any occasion are to travel to the head, are forced to go 
by land, taking their way upon the West side. At the 
end of this River, there is a Lake of foure daies journey 
long and two daies broad, wherein are two Hands. To 
the North West foure daies journey from this Lake, at 
the Head of this River Shawakotoc, there is a small 
province which they call Crokemago, wherein is one 
tovvne. This is the Westernmost river of the Dominions 
of Bashabez."f 

Such was the most accurate account of our river pos- 
sessed by the English geographers at that period. The 
small extent of a day's journey may be estimated from 
the distance thus computed between the ,/Jponeg, (Sheep- 
scot,) and the Sagadehock, which is called three days' 
journey, but is only about twelve iniles. No Euro- 
pean, probably, had yet explored the country far be- 
yond the mouths of the principal rivers, and the informa- 
tion of navigators respecting their sources and extent, 
must have been derived from the inexact descriptions of 
the natives. The supreme sachem who governed the 
country of Mavoshen, and bore the title of Basbaba, is 



*The sea-coast of Maine is comprehended almost exactly within 
these limits. IFurchas. lib. X. c. G. Third Edition printed 16J7. 
3* 



14 HISTORY OP SACO 

repeatedly noticed by the first voyagers to this const, and 
is said to have resided near the Penobscot. The subor- 
dinate chiefs, somewhat like the feudal barons, exercised 
a separate authority over their respective tribes. The 
province of Crokernago, probably, included the famous 
tribe of the Pequawkets whose principal town, known to 
have been of great antiquity, occupied nearly the site of 
Fryeburg. The large ponds in that vicinity were doubt- 
less considered by them the sources of the Saco ; one of 
which, the upper Kezar, principally in the town of Lov- 
ell, is about 15 miles in length, and from one to two 
miles in breadth, and contains two or three islands. The 
principal branch of the Saco, the Great Ossippee, termi- 
nates in a small lake ; on this river, also, was seated a con- 
siderable Indian village.* 

A name similar to that in the preceding extract, was 
applied to our river by the celebrated Capt. Smith, who 
examined the coast from Penobscot w^estw^ard in 1614, 
and two years after putjlished a description of the country 
under the general name of New England. After de- 
scribing the Kennebec, Smith proceeds : "Westward of 
this river is the country of Aucocisco (Casco) in the bot- 
tom of a large deep bay, full of many great isles, which 
divide it into many good harbors. Saw^ocotuck is the 
next, in the edge of a large sandy bay, which hath many 
rocks and isles, but few good harbors except for barks, 
(that) I yet know."f Omitting the last syllable of this 
word, which was doubtless done for the sake of brevity, 
we have nearly the present name of the river. Smith 
drew a mapof N.Etigland, with the Indian names of rivers, 
islands, he. and presented it to Prince, afterwards King, 
Charles, who at his request substituted English names in 
their stead. A few only of these were adopted by the 
inhabitants, when the country was settled. The name 
of Ipswich was bestow^ed on the Saco, but there is no 
reason to suppose it was ever used. The Kennebec 
was called Edinboro' ; Agamenticus river, Boston, &ic. J 

'"Sullivan. 228. fSmith's Virginia. II. 193. 

tibid. II. 177. There was a small tribe of Indians within the 
colony of Plymouth called Sawcntuckeis. They lived in the west- 
ern part of Harwich. Mass. Hist. Coll. I. 197. Prince. 03. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 15 

It can scarcely be a subject of regret that the aboriginal 
names have been retained in so many instances. Al- 
though often not remarkably euphonious, they serve to 
keep alive the memory of the former possessors of the 
soil, of whom so few vestiges remain. The deep feeling 
of interest excited by the unhappy fate of the powerful 
tribes, once inhabiting the banks of our rivers and lakes, 
is impressed on whatever survives the wreck of their for- 
tunes, if it be only a name. 

The French were somewhat behind the English in 
making voyages of discovery to the American conti- 
nent. In 1524, John Verazzano, an Italian, in the ser- 
vice of the king of France, sailed along the coast Irom 
Florida to Labrador, and gave to the whole extent of ter- 
ritory the name of New France. Notwithstanding the 
discovery of the Cabots nearly thirty years previous, this 
navigator was regarded as having given to France a title 
to the greater part of North America, as the original dis- 
coverer. But it was not until early in the following cen- 
tury, that a permanent settlement vi^as commenced by peo- 
ple of that nation on the shores of the new world. In 
1603 the Sieur de Monts received a commission from his 
sovereign for the government of New France. His juris- 
diction extended from the 40th to the 46th degree of 
north latitude. In the following year, De Monts arrived 
on the coast of Nova Scotia, then called Cadie or Aca- 
die,* accompanied by Samuel de Champlain, who had 
ascended the St. Lawrence the year before and obtain- 
ed much information respecting the country. A small set- 
tlement was made on the island St. Croix, where they 
passed the winter, and the next season changed their loca- 
tion to Port Royal, now Annapolis, N. S. 

In the meantime, De Monts and Champlain explor- 
ed the coast toward the south fof the purpose of select- 
ing suitable places to establish colonies. The following 

*In Latin Cadia or Acadia. This word is generally supposed to 
be borrowed from the Arcadia of the Greeks, as Douglas, Brit. Am. 
derives it. But it is a different word, even with the initial «, which 
it often wants. Being at first restricted in its application, it was pro- 
bably of Indian origin, as is Pesmo-cadie, the French orthography for 
Passamaquoddy. All New France was often termed Acadie. 



16 HISTORY OF SACO 

passage from the volume published by the latter descrip- 
tive of this voyage, it is confidently believed, refei's to 
Saco river* and the islands near its entrance. 

"Having left the Kennebec, we ran along the coast to 
the westward, and cast anchor under a small island near 
the main land where we saw twenty or more natives. I 
here visited an island beautifully clothed wiih a fine 
growth of forest trees, particularly of the oak and wal- 
nut, and overspread with vines that in their season produce 
excellent grapes ; the first I had seen since leaving Cape 
de la Heve, (N. S.) We named it the island of Bac- 
chus. At high water we weighed anchor, and ran up a 
small river, barred at its mouth. There is but half a 
fathom of water on the bar at low tide, and about nine, 
sometimes twelve feet at high tide ; within there is a 
depth of four, five and six fathoms. As soon as we had 
cast anchor, a number of Indians appeared on the banks 
of the river and began to dance. Their chief was not 
among them ; he came two or three hours after with 
two canoes, and took a turn around our ship.. This 
river is called by the natives Chouacoet."f 

No settlement was made by \he French at that time 
west of the river St. Croix. As late as ]C13, they* 
were not found beyond that limit except on the isl- 
and of Monts Deserts, now Mount Desert, where two 
priests of the order of Jesuits had gathered a few adven- 
turers in 1609. It is not a little remarkable that with all 
the country before them, the French should have fixed 
the seat of their jurisdiction so far north as Nova Scotia. 
Their title to that part of the territory of New France 
was not less defective than to a more southern position. 
The English regarded them. as trespassers at Port Royal, 
and measures were taken for their removal in 16l3.t 

*Belk. Am. Biog. II. 149. tPronoiinced nearly, Shwar'co. Les 
Voyag;es de Sieur de Charnplain, Liv. ii. c. 3. 

tBelkn. Am. Biog. I. 340 11.52. Sullivan, Hist. Maine, p. 170, 
sayri that "soon after Popham's party left the river (Kennebec) in 
1(J08, the French t<}ok possession of it," and refers us to Hubbard as 
an authority for the statement ; but it finds no support in that author. 
Hist. i\. E 15. Ind. Narrative. 286. Hubbard says, h.)wever, that 
Argal found French settled at Penobscot 1G13, and is followed in Ah- 



AND BIDDEFORD. 17 

The claim of the latter people, founded on the discov- 
ery of the Cabots, extended from Newfoundland to Flori- 
da, and after various vicissitudes was ultimately sustained. 

There are no definite accounts of voyages to this part 
of America by navigators of any other nation, unless we 
except Hudson in the service of the Dutch, who sailed 
along our coast towards the south in 1609, when he dis- 
covered the noble river that now bears his name. After 
that year the Dutch frequented the American coast, and 
established a trading house near where Albany stands as 
early as 1614*. A geographical work of high reputation, 
written in the Latin language and published soon after that 
period at Leyden, comprises, probably, all the informa- 
tion relating to the new world gathered by the early 
navigators of that and other nations. The author, John 
de Laet, was a director of the Dutch East India Company, 
and distinguished for his scientific as well as geographical 
knowledge. In the account of Cadia or Acadia, (for 
the word is thus differently spelled in this work,) the 
writer has twice described the Saco under its French and 
English names. The first account, of which we subjoin 
a plain version, was chiefly derived from Champlain, with 
some additions; the other is an exact translation of Smith. 

"Four leagues south of the Kennebec," says this writer, 
"following the direction of the coast, there is a bay con- 
taining in its bosom a large number of islands, from which 
are seen the lofty summits of mountains on the main 
land.f Eight leagues beyond, the river Chouacoet opens 
in lat. 43 deg. 45 min. having several islands near its en- 
trance, one of which was called by the French navigators the 



bot and White's Hist. Belfast. 16. But Charlevoix, the historian of 
New France, tome I. liv. iii does not authorize even this statement ; 
nor is it supported by Prince, N. F, (^hronol. 37 ; or Belknap, Am. 
Biog. art. Argal ; or Holmes, Am. Annals, I. 178. 

It is probable enough that SulHvan was led into the error of suppos- 
ing the French settled at Kennebec, by the following passage of 
Prince, 25 : 'Upon the colony's (Popham's) breaking up, the French 
settle themselves within our limits." This doubtless refers to the 
settlement on Monts Deserts in 1609, and to the continued encroach- 
ments of that people on the Acadian perxinsula. 

*Smith's Hist, of N. York. 14. tCasco bay and the White moun- 
tains. 



18 HISTOKY OF SACO 

island of Bacchus and by our countrymen Wiingaerden 
Eyiandl, (Vineyard Island,) from the great abundance 
of vines found growing there. It is two leagues distant , 
from the main ; is agreeable to the eye from the fine ap- I 
pearance of the oaks and walnut trees with which it is ' 
stocked, and offers a good soil for cultivation. The river 
at its mouth is not of great depth, being not more than two 
fathoms at high water, but within it is three or four fath- 
oms, and is well stored with fish. The land near the river 
is fertile, presenting to view either open plains, or groves 
of lofty firs, beeches and elms. The baibarians that in- 
habit here, are in some respects unlike the other abori- 
gines of New France, differing from them both in lan- 
guage and manners. They shave their heads from the i, 
forehead to the crown, but suffer the hair to grow on the i 
other side, confining it in knots, and interweaving feathers 
of various colors. They paint their faces red or black ; 
are well formed, and arm themselves with spears, clubs, 
bows and arrows, which for the want of iron they point 
with the tail of a crustaceous animal, called signoc.^ 
They cultivate the soil in a different manner from the In- , 
dians who live east of them ; they plant maize (Indian j 
corn and striped beans together, so tiiat the stalks of the j 
former answer the purpose of poles for the vines to j 
run upon. Their fields are enclosed and kept free from j 
bushes ; they plant in May and harvest in September, j 
Walnut trees grow here, but inferior to ours; vines are 1 
abundant, and it is said by the French, that the grapes { 
gathered in July, make good wine. The natives also 
raise pumpkins,f and tobacco. They have permanent j 
places of abode, not roving about like other savages, i 
Their cabins are covered with oak-bark, and are de- ' 
fended from the attacks of enemies by a wall of palis- 
adoes."J 

It is quite possible that De Laet supposed the Choua- 
coet of the French, and the Sawocotu( k of the English, 
to be separate streams ; an error into which he was 



*The Horse-shoe. Monocnlus polyphemus. tNot indigenous, but 
introduced at a very early period Nultall. 
|Novus Orbis, (New World,) &c. lib. ii. c. V.). See Appen. A. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 1 9 

more likely to fall from the briefand less flattering descrip- 
tion of Smith. Indeed, the whole const of Maine was 
represented by the latter as dreary and desolate. "It 
is a coiintrey rather to affright than deliglit one," says 
he, "and how to describe a more plaine spectacle of deso- 
lation or more barren, 1 know not." The French adven- 
turers, on the other hand, described the eastern country 
in very agreeable terms, imparting to its numerous islands, 
rivers and bays, a gay and picturesque coloring, not wholly 
fanciful at certain brief periods of the year, when the 
rugged features of our northern shores are clothed with a 
verdure and beauty unrivalled in more genial climes. 
The delineations of Smith, it must be acknowledged, 
however, are more faithful to the general aspect of the 
coast. It is but fair to add the sequel of the remarks of 
this celebrated traveller, in which he discovers no want 
of penetration. "Yet are those rocky isles," continues 
he, "so furnished with good woods, springs, fruits, fowl 
and fish, that it makes me think, though the coast be 
rocky and thus affrightable, the vallies and plains and 
interior parts may well notwithstanding be very fertile."* 



^Smith's Virginia. First published 1616. Capt. Smith arrived at 
Monheagan, April, 1614, with two ships. This island ha>i been a 
resort for fishermen since 1608. Smith made it the centre of his 
operations during the summer. "Whilst the sailors fished, myself 
with eight others ranged the coast in a small boat. We got for tri- 
fles near 1 1000 beaver skins, 100 martins and as many otters, and the 
most of them within the distance of 20 leagues. We ranged the 
coast both east and west much further," p. 175. He returned to Eng" 
land in September ; beside the furs, they carried home 47000 'dry 
and core fish,' made at Monheagan. A tradinghouse was afterwards 
established on this island, but was broken up 1626, when the goods 
being offered for sale, < lov Bradford and Mr. Winslow of the New 
Plymouth colony, and Mr. Thompson of Pascataqua, went thither 
and purchased them. The moiety of the Plymouth planters amoun- 
ted to £400. Prince. 161. The island was sold that year by Mr. 
Jennings, of Plymouth, Kng. to the future Peniaquid patentees, 
and continued to be a favorite resort for fishermen. SuU. 392. 



20 HISTORY OF 3ACO 



CHAPTER II. 

The unfortunate termination of Sir Walter Raleigh's 
attempts to colonize Virginia during the reign of Queen 
Elizabeth, had effectually checked the spirit of enter- 
prise in England in relation to the settlement of America. 
The discoveries of Gosnold and Pring, and the short- 
ness of their voyages, now caused the subject to be re- t 
vived, and to excite more general interest than had be- 
fore existed. On the petition of a number of gentlemen, 
a charter was granted by king James in the year 1606, 
dividing the country into two districts, called North and 
South Virginia, and authorizing the establishment of 
separate colonies in each district by two distinct com- 
panies. A right of property in the land fifty miles on 
each side of their first plantations, and extending one hun- 
ilred miles into the interior, was granted by this patent. 
The first or Southern colony were allowed to setde any 
part of the country within the degrees of 34 and 41 north 
latitude ; the second, consisting chiefly of persons resi^ 
dejit at Plymouth and other towns in the west of England, 
and thence denominated the Plymouth Company, were 
allowed to choose a place of settlement between 38 and 
45 degrees north latitude. As a considerable portion 
of the territory thus allotted was common to the two dis- 
tricts, a provision was added, that the colony last planted 
should not approach within one hundred miles of that al- 
ready established.* 

The next year colonies were sent out by the two com- 
panies. One was fixed at Jamestown, of which Gosnold 
'was the prime mover,' and Capt. Smith an active mem- 
ber ; the other was established at Sagadehock, or the 
mouth of the Kennebec, led by Captains George Pop- 
ham, brother to the Chief Justice, and Raleigh Gilbert. 
This colony consisted of 108 menf ; whether accom- 

*HaziJi-ds State Papers I. 50. ISmith's Virginia. II. 174. The 
southern colony consisted of about the same number. Gosnold died 
the first year. Aug. 22. The Pilgrim Colony of 1 620, comprised only 
41 men ; the rest of their number (CO) being women and children. 
JV. £. Memorial 38. 



AND BIDDEFOftD. 21 

panied by their families, we are not informed. They 
arrived on the coast near the island of Monheagan, a few 
leagues east of the Kennebec, in the month of August, and 
soon after entered the mouth of that river, where on the 
eastern side, on an island now forming a part of George- 
town,* they commenced preparations for a permanent 
settlement without delay. Monheagan was agreed 
upon as a place of rendezvous for the ships before leav- 
ing England, f and although we are not directly told that 
the destination of the colony was determined before their 
arrival, there is no doubt of the fact. The great patron 
c^ the enterprise, "Chief Justice Popham, we have already 
seen, obtained an accurate survey of the coa&t the year 
before, and doubtless selected the mouth of that "fair 
and navigable river," as the Kennebec is styled by Smith, 
as a favorable location for the seat of the colony. 

The lateness of the season scarcely allowed the colo- 
nists time to erect a fort' and the necessary places of 
shelter before the approach of winter, which proved ex- 
cessively rigorous. More than half their number returned 
with the ships to England in December, in consequence 
of the severity of the cold and the scantiness of their 
supplies. Soon after those who remained had the mis- 
fortune to lose the greater part of their buildings and 
stores by fire. Capt. Popham died in the course of the 
winter, and an arrival in the spring brought news of the 
death of the Chief Justice. Raleigh Gilbert, who suc- 
ceeded Popham as president of the Colony, was under 
the necessity of returning to England on account of the 
decease of his brother, of which intelligence was received 
by another arrival, and the colonists discouraged by so 
many adverse circumstances, resolved to abandon the 
country and return with him. Thus in less than one 
year from the time the settlement was commenced, the 



^Called Parker's island, containing 28000 acres. Mass. Hist. Coll. 
i. 251. "Description of Georgetown." Prince supposes they landed 
on the peninsula of Cape Small Point, on the western side of the 
river. Belknap says a peninsula. Biog. i. 350. Sullivan, 15.53. sup- 
posed Stage island was the spot, which contains only six acres. We 
follow the intelligent local authority cited above. 

i Gorges. 

3 



22 HISTORY OF SACO 

northern colony was broken up ; the country was de- 
nounced as uninhabitable, and no further attempts were 
made for many years to promote its setdement by the 
Company to whom it was assigned by the patent of King 
James. 

Sir Ferdinando Gorges, a conspicuous member of the 
Plymouth Company, alone remained undiscouraged. The 
attention of this gentleman appears to have been first 
turned to this part of America in the year 1605, when 
Capt. Weymouth arrived in the harbor of Plymouth 
where he resided, on his return from a voyage for the dis- 
covery of the northwest passage. Falling short of his 
course, Weymouth had accidentally discovered the river 
Penobscot, from whence he carried to England five of 
the natives, "three of whom," says Gorges, "I seized 
upon ; they were all of one nation, but of several parts 
and several families. This accident must be acknowl- 
edged the means under God of putting on foot and giv- 
ing Hfe to all our plantations." He retained these In- 
dians in his family three years, and obtained from them 
much information respecting their native shores ; they 
were afterwards sent back. Gorges henceforward took a 
deep interest in schemes for the settlement of North Vir- 
ginia, and was rather chagrined than discouraged by the 
return of the Sagadehock colonists, and the unfavorable 
reports which they spread concerning the country. "He 
had too much experience in the world," he said, "to be 
frighted with such a blast, as knowing many great king- 
doms and large territories more northerly seated and 
by many degrees colder, were plentifully inhabited, and 
divers of them stored with no better commodities than i 
these afforded, if like industry, art and labor be used."' 
Unable, however, to persuade the Company to undertake 
the planting of a second colony. Gorges engaged in pri- 
vate enterprises to this coast, which began to be much 
resorted to by English ships for purposes of trade with 
the natives, and of fishing. In the year 1616,* he sent 
hither a party commanded by Richard Vines, for the 

^Prince, N. E. Chronol. 95, 



AND BIDDEFORD. 03 

express object of exploring the country with a view to 
form a settlement. He contracted with them to remain 
during the winter, with the hope of removing the preju- 
dice excited by the Sagadehock colonists against the 
character of the climate. 

They arrived during the prevalence of a destructive 
disease among the natives, which spread throughout New 
England, commencing its ravages in the west. This pes- 
tilence is noticed by all the writers on the early history 
of New England, with some difference of opinion as to 
the precise year of its occurrence. A late and highly 
respectable writer supposes it to have prevailed in differ- 
ent places at different times, but a few years previous to 
the arrival of the Plymouth pilgrims.* It was regarded 
by those pious colonists as a special interposition of di- 
vine providence in their favor, so great was the havoc it 
made among the tribes in that quarter. 'Thus,' says old 
Morton, 'God made way for his people by removing the 
heathen and planting them in the land.' 

Mr. Vines and his companions penetrated into the in- 
terior, visiting the Indians in their villages and wigwams, 
who received them with great kindness and hospitality. 
Beside the ravages of sickness, they were at this time 
thrown into confusion by the death of the Bashaba or 
chief sachem, whom the Tarrantines, living east of the 
Penobscot, had attacked by surprise and destroyed with 
his family the preceding year. Great dissensions had 
immediately followed among the different tribes, who 
were engaged in a destructive war with each other when 
the pestilence made its appearance. f In the midst of 
these evils, the Englishmen passed with safety among 
them, and slept in their cabins without suffering from the 
contagion. They were in particular welcomed by the 
savages whom they had seen in the family of Gorges at 
Plymouth, and now met in their native homes. Having 
visited different parts of the coast, this little party pre- 
pared to establish themselves for the winter. The spot 

'^ Judge Davis's edit, of N. E Memorial. (1828.) p. 52. note, 
j Gorges' History. 



34 HISTORY OF SACO 

which they selected for their abode, we have reason to 
suppose, was at the mouth of Saco river, on the western 
side, near the capacious and sheltered basin now called I 
the Pool, but in early times known as Winter Harbor. 
This interesting fact depends on the following statement. 

The place chosen at that time by Mr. Vines for the 
location of a colony, was at the mouth of this river,* 
where one was planted some years after under his direc- 
tion. He was probably led to make this choice before 
winter, and he would naturally establish himself during 
that season on the spot selected for a permanent abode, 
in support of this reasonable supposition, we have the 
tradition of the inhabitants of that part of Biddefoi d, that 
an English vessel wintered in the Pool before the settle- 
ment of the country, and that the shelter thus afforded 
gave rise to the name of Winter Harbor. The following i 
passage of the history of Gorges, adds stronger confirma- ' 
tion. "Col. Fra. Norton and Capt. Wm. Gorges went 
over (in 1623) with divers workmen for the building n§ 
mills, houses, and all things, necessary for the settlement 
of our designs," (an establishment at Agamenticus, now 
York.) "And we had the more hope of a happy successe 
of these affairs, by reason that not far from that place 
there had been settled some years before Mr. Richard 
Vines, a servant (or agent) of his, (Sir F. Gorges,) of 
whose care and diligence he had formerly made much 
trial in his affairs."f 

It appears from this extract, that Norton and Gorges 
were encouraged in their design of settling at Agamenti- 
cus by the fact that Vines had found the country habita- 
ble in the neighborhood of that river. It is not pretend- 
ed, nor is there the slightest reason to suppose, that his 

" • ' — r — — — 

*Dr. Belknap, Biog. i. 377, says : "It has been before observed that 
Gorges had sent over R. Vines with some others on a discovery, to 
prepare the way for a colony. The place which Vines pitched upon 
was at the mouth of Saco river " 
tThese gentlemen had a grant of 24000 acres of land on both sides of 
Agamenticus now York river, as is stated by Gorges. Sullivan, p. 
237, says, erroneously, the earliest grant in York was IG42. The late j 
venerable Judge t^ewall wrote a brief account of York, published in. ^ 
1 Mass. Hist. Coll. iii. G-12, but does not mention th.is ea2:lv settl^^ 
ii\ent. It \ya,s probably of short dura^tioa... 



Aimif BIDDEFORD. 25 

temporary settlement was made at any other place than 
at the mouth of the Saco. 

Vines performed several voyages to our coast in the 
service of Gorges, and it is probable made Winter Har- 
bor his principal resort* While he was occupied in ex- 
ploring the country and trading with the natives, his men 
were engaged in fishing. How long he pursued this 
course, we are not informed, nor do we find him men- 
tioned again until several years after his early residence 
at Winter Harbor. 

A separate charter was obtained by the Plymouth Com- 
pany in 1620, enlarging their powers and giving wider 
limits to their jurisdiction. The vast territory extending 
from the 40th to the 48th degree of north latitude, and 
fi'om sea to sea, was placed at the disposal and under 
the government of the company, now styled the Council 
of Plymouth. Forty noblemen and gentlemen are named 
in that instrument as composing "the Council, established 
at Plymouth in Devonshire, for the planting, ruling and 
governing of New England in America."* The right 
of property in the land was thus transferred from the 
crown to the Council, by whom grants of unequal magni- 
tude were made at various times throughout New Eng- 
land. A degree of confusion rests on some of their acts, 
arising in a great measure from their imperfect knowl- 
edge of the geography of the country. f The earliest 
grant of the Council including a part of Maine, was made 
in 1622 to Sir F. Gorges and John Mason, two of their 
number, extending from the Merrimac to the Kennebec, 
under the name of Laconia.J The next year these pa- 
tentees with other adventurers sent out David Thomp- 
son, Edward and William Hilton, to form a settlement on 
the Pascataqua. The grant received by Col. Norton and 
Capt. W. Gorges, already noticed, was under that of La~ 
conia. In 1629 Mason took out a new patent for that por- 
tion of Laconia west of the Pascataqua, which he named 
New Hampshire, leaving the remainder with Gorges. In 
the meantime, however, the Council proceeded to make 

^Hazard's State Papers, I. 103. tS^ullivari on Land Titles. 36. 
tBelknap's N. H. I. 14. 
3* 



2i} HISTORY OF SACO 

new grants of the eastern part of Laconia as if no former 
one still existed. 

Among these were two patents of lands on Saco river,- 
The Biddeford patent, as we may now term it, conveyed 
to John Oldham and Richard Vines, a tract of land lying 
between Cape Elizabeth and Cape Porpoise, on the south 
side of the river Swanckadocke, (as the Saco is strange- 
ly denominated by the Council,) containing in breadth by 
the sea four miles, and eight miles up into the main land. 
These are nearly the present bounds of Biddeford. The 
other patent conveyed a tract of the same extent on the 
opposite side of the river, to Thomas Lewis and Capt. 
Richard Bonython.* The limits of Saco are at present 
somewhat less than those of the patent, as will be shown 
in another place. The former of these instruments, was 
copied into the records of the Province of Maine, July 
19, 1643. The latter was not recorded until April 5, 
1731. f They are both dated February 12, 1629, old 
style, equivalent to Feb.l, 1630. At that period the com- 
mencement of the year was reckoned from March 25, a 
practice that continued more or less to the following cen- 
tury. But it was not uncommon, to prevent mistakes, to 
write a double date for a day coming between Jan. 1. and 
March 25. Thus the date of the patents would be 
more easily understood, had the year been written 1629- 
30. The alteration of the day of the month is rendered 
necessary by the change introduced into the calendar, 
familiar to all, termed the new style. 

The same year the grant called the Plough Patent, 
and forming the Province of Lygonia, was made hy the 
Council.! It was intended to embrace a territory forty 
miles square, but fell short of that extent, as appears 
from the limits actually assigned to it. It was bounded 
on the east by Cape Elizabeth, or Casco, and on the west 



* Pronounced as if written Bonlgfiton. 

iSee Appendix B. for copies of these patents. The original parch- 
ment, relating tu the eastern side of the river, has been brouorht to 
tight since the commencement of these enquiries, and deposited in 
the archives of t!ie Maine Historical Society, at Brunswick. It was 
in the possession of Mr. Benj. Patterson. 

^Hubbard's Ind. Nar. Part. 2. p. 9. 6rst edition. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 27 

by Cape Porpoise, a distance of about thirty miles on 
the sea coast, and extended forty miles into the interior. 
The patents on Saco river were thus included within the 
bounds of this grant ; this is the more remarkable as they 
were made the same year. The names of the grantees 
as recorded by Hubbard, are John Dy, Thomas Impe, 
Grace Harding and John Roach of London ; to which 
Sullivan adds from a manuscript of uncertain authority, 
John Smith and Bryan Brincks. Several of these gen- 
tlemen are supposed by Sullivan to have resided within the 
limits of their patent. "In the year 1 630," says the manu- 
script, as quoted by our historian, "Bryan Brincks, John 
Smith and others went into New England and settled 
themselves in Casco Bay, near unto the south side of the 
river Sagadehock, and laid out several sums of money 
there, made laws and constitutions, he. for the governing 
said Province."* It is hardly possible that all this could 
be done by the proprietors of the Plough patent without 
leaving some traces of their operations among the ancient 
records of Maine. But not the slightest vestige has been 
found relating to any such transactions, and as the author 
and date of the manuscript are not given and were pro- 
bably unknown, its statements are liable to be questioned. 
Sullivan himself acknowledges 'there never was a person 
of the name of Brincks inhabiting' in this quarter, but 
says further, that 'there have ever been persons of the 
names of Smith and Dyer on the south side of Saco riv- 
er,' and he takes them to be descendants of the suppo- 
sed patentees Smith and Dy. There was, indeed, a John 
Smith at Saco 1636, who was living 1685, at the age of 
seventy three years. f As he was but eighteen years old 
when the patent was granted, it cannot be rationally sup- 
posed that he was associated with the patentees in a grant 
so extensive. There is besides no notice, however slight, 
that he had any interest in the Plough patent, in the re- 
cords of that period. Admitting the gratuitous change 
of Dy to Dyer, the latter name does not occur in the 
Saco records until more than fifty years after the date 
of the patent. 

^Sullivan. 311. tCourt Records. 



28 HISTORY OF SAC© 

The following passage of Winthrop's Journal is supposed! 
to relate to this subject. "July 6, 1631. A small sliip off 
sixty tons arrived at Nantasket, Mr. Graves master. She; 
brou2;ht ten passengers from London. They came withi 
a patent to Sagadehock, but not liking the place, they 
came hither. Their ship drew ten feet, and went up toi 
Watertown, but ran on ground twice by the way. These' 
were the company called Husbandmen, and their ship) 
called the Plough." It was afterw^ards added ; "Most of i 
them proved Familists and vanished away." The Fami-- 
lists were a fanatical sect. It is plain enough, that 
whoever came in this vessel, and whether they entered 
Saco river, as Sullivan supposes, or the Kennebec, as is 
quite probable, they did not remain in this part of the 
country. They were probably a band of adventurers, 
sent out by the grantees of the Plough patent, but the 
appearance of the eastern country not equalling their ex- 
pectations, they preferred to shape their course in another 
direction. This supposition is supported by Hubbard,, 
who states that the patentees "took in as a partner, Mr... 
Richard Dummer* of Newbury, N. England, in the year 
1638, to whom they delivered the patent,with an order from 
them to take up the land described therein, but he be- 
ing denied opportunity to effect it, as also a ship formerly 
sent for that end not accomplishing their desire," Sic.f 
In consequence of these difficulties, they sold the patent 
soon after to Alexander Rigby, Esq. of Lancashire. The 
date of this transfer is stated by Sullivan to be April 7, 
1643. At that period it seems to have assumed the name 
of the Province of Lygonia, when it became the source 
of much contention, as will be shown hereafter. It is a 
subject of regret that more definite information does not 



*This gentleman came to N. England 1G32, when he was admitted 
freeman. Winthrop ii. 363. He was one of the first settlers of New- 
bury, Mass. where he owned a large estate. He was 'equally rich 
and benevolent.' Lieut. Gov Dummer was one of his descendants. 
Cushinw's Hist, of Newburypwrt, p. 66. Eliot's Biog. Diet. The 
date of his arrival is incorrectly given by these writers, as it appears 
from the record of his admission to the rights of a freeman. 

tHubbard's Nar. Part 2. pp. 9-10. Edition of 1677. Sullivan, 
Savage, and other writers take notice of a mistake in Hubbard, Umefr 
for Vines, it is not found in the old edition. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 29 

exist relating to the original grantees of this extensive 
patent : had they actually come to take possession them- 
selves, we should doubtless know more about them. 

There were two other grants by the Council in this 
vicinity, one of which conveyed to Robert Trelawney and 
IMoses Goodyear of Plymouth, Eng. merchants, a tract 
of land extending from the mouth of a small stream call- 
ed Spurwink river, on the line between the towns of Scar- 
borough and Cape Elizabeth, fifteen miles into the inter- 
ior, thence crossing eastwardly to Presumpscot river and 
so down to the sea.* Portland and several other towns 
are situated within the limits of this patent. 

The other was small, consisting of only 1500 acres, 
situated between the Spurwink and Black Point rivers, 
in the eastern part of Scarborough, including Black 
Point, of which Capt. Thomas Camniock, a nephew of 
the Earl of Warwick, was sole patentee. Stratton's isl- 
ands, one of which is now called Bluff island, were in- 
cluded in this grant. These patents were both made in 
the year 1631. f 

The colony of New Plymouth obtained a grant of 
eastern lands at this period, situated on the Kennebec and 
Cobbisseecontee rivers, to enable them to trade in that 
quarter. This patent was originally procured in 162&, 
but was enlarged and confirmed Jan. 13, 1629-30. J 

Farther east was the Pemaquid grant of 12000 acres, 
to Robert Aldworth and Giles Elbridge, of Bristol, Eng. 
made in the year 1631.|| 

Finally, there was the Muscongus, or, as it has been 
since called, the Waldo patent, between the Penobscot 
and the Muscongus, extending ten leagues into the in- 
terior, granted March 13, 1629-30, to John Beauchamp 
of London, and Thomas Leveret of Boston, Eng.§ 

No other grants were made by the Council in this part 
of N. England. Some of these were the subjects of 
long and angry contentions, owing in part to the indefi- 

*The Spurwink is laid down on a map of N. England, published 
with C. Mather's Hist. N. E. 1702, as larger than the Saco I 

tCourt Records. Sullivan, p 128, says 5000 acres, but we follow 
the records. The errors of Sullivan respecting Trelawney's grant 
are too numerous to be pointed out here. The principal one is in 
making Rigby thr grantor, p. 115, et passim. 

jPrince. N. E. Chron.172. 196. pazard Coll. I. 315. §Ibid.r304. 



so 



HISTORY OF SACO 



nite terms used in describing their limits, and to the ne- 
glect of the early proprietors to enter upon and mark out ; 
the bounds of their lands. This is particularly true of ' 
the Cobbisseecontee and Muscongus patents, so long the 
fruitful sources of controversy. 



CHAPTER III. 



On the twenty fifth day of June, 1630, Richard Vines 
took legal possession of the land granted him in conjunc- 
tion with John Oldham on the south west side of Saco 
river. This ceremony was performed in the presence of 
Mr. Isaac Allerton, Capt. Thomas Wiggen, Mr. Thomas 
Purchase, Capt. Nathaniel Waters, Capt. John Wright, 
and Mr. Stephen Reekes, mariner. The three last named 
were without doubt attached to the vessels in which Mr. 
Vines and a number of colonists with their families, had 
recently arrived. The others are well known in the early 
history of New England. Mr. Allerton was a gentleman 
of some note in the colony of New Plymouth, of which 
be was an original member. We learn from several! 
sources, that having been sent to England on public busi--i 
ness, he returned in the spring of 1630. The ship in 
which Mr. Allerton took passage, the Lyon, Capt. Wil- 
liam Pierce, master, sailed from Bristol, Eng. for Penob- 
scot with the agent of the Muscongus patentees, accom- 
panied by four or five men, who were about to establish 
a tradinghouse at the mouth of the former river.* When 
Gov. Winthrop and die other principal Massachusetts 
colonists arrived at Salem, June 12, the same summer, the ; 
Lyon was at anchor in the harbor of that place : "about 
an hour after," says Winthrop, "Mr. Allerton came aboard 
us in a shallop as he was sailing to Pemaquid." In the 
course of this trip to the eastward, he was enabled to be 
present at the delivery of possession to Mr. Vines. Mr. 

*Mass. Hist. Coll. iii. 70. 7^2. Prince. 203. note. 



AND BIDDEFORi>. 31 

Allerton was again at Saco the following year, arriving in 
the ship White Angel on his return from another voyage 
to England.* He appears to have been concerned in 
the tradinghouse at Penobscot, and in another atMachias, 
which was destroyed I633.f The last notice we find 
of him in this quarter, is in a note from Thomas Mayhew 
to Mr. Vines, dated Medford, 20 May, 1636, in which 
the writer says he has engaged a quantity of stores "to 
go by Mr. Allerton. "J Mr. Allerton afterwards remov- 
ed from New Plymouth, probably to New Haven, Conn, 
where he se^ms to have been living in 1653.§ 

Capt. Thomas Wiggen, another of the persons who 
witnessed the possessory act of our patentee, was an a- 
gent of the upper plantation on the Pascataqua. He 
probably came to N. England this year, when the settle- 
ments on that river received great accessions. Capt. 
Wiggen resided at Dover for many years, and during the 
union of New Hampshire with Massachusetts, he became 
one of the Assistants of the Colony. He held this of- 
fice from 1650 to 1664,|| by virtue of which we find him 
presiding at a term of the court at York 1659. 

Mr. Thomas Purchase was settled at a very early pe- 
riod at Pegypscott, now Brunswick. Some account of 
him will be given in another place. 

The attorneys of the Council for the delivery of pos- 
session, were the Rev. William Blackstone, of Shaw- 
mut, afterwards Boston ; William JefFeries, an old planter 
of uncertain abode, *ir and Edward Hilton of Pascataqua. 
It does not appear which of these gentlemen executed 
the trust assigned to them. 

The patentees on the eastern side of the river arrived 
the following year. On the 28lh of June, 1631, Mr. 



*Winthrop. 1. 57. tN.E. Memorial. 393. fCourt Records. Thos. 
Mayhew is stated to have hved at Watertown, as a merchant. In 
1641, he was appointed Governor of Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard 
and the adjacent islands, when he removed to Martha's Vineyard, 
and became a distinguished benefactor to the Indians. Gookin. 1 
Mass. Hist. Coll. i. 202. 

§ Winthrop. I. 25. note. ||N. H. Hist. Coll. ii. 207. 

HThe Editor of Winthrop says he was a person of some distinC' 
lion, settled probably at Weymouth, Moss, before 1628. 1. 138. note. 



B2 HISTORY OF SACO 

Lewis entered upon this grant in the presence of Mn . 
Wiggen, James Parker, Henry Watts, and George Vau* 
ghan of Pascataqua. Edward Hilton acted as the at*^ 
torney of the Council. 

Thus commenced the first permanent settlements on i 
this river. What number of colonists accompanied the 
patentees, we are not informed ; no record of their names i 
occurs until 1636, It appears from the tenor of the pat- 
ents, that they had stipulated to transport fifty persons to 
their respective grants 'to plant and inhabit there,' within 
seven years. This condition was probably fulfilled, at 
least by Mr. Vines, on whose patent the inhabitants have 
ever been more numerous until within a few years. His 
associate, Mr. John Oldham, appears to have taken no 
interest in the patent. We find no trace of his having 
been at any time within its limits. The name of Saco 
was used at that period to include the settlements on both 
sides of the river, and continued to be so employed for 
nearly a century. An agreement relative to "the setting 
forward the enterprise of clapboard making,'' between 
"Peyton Cooke of Saco, Gent, and Mr. Richard Wil- 
liams likewise of Saco," bears date Jan. 27, 1635. 

That part of Vines's patent situated below the mouth 
of the river, had previously received the name of Winter 
Harbor, as we have reason to suppose, which it has borne 
to this day, and the whole settlement was often so termed. 
In a list of the inhabitants dated 1653, we find them dis- 
tinguished as living in East rnd West Saco.* 

The following document furnishes the names of the 
principal colonists and their relative standing, a few years 
only after the seldement began. "1636, 7 ber (Septem- 
ber) 7 : The booke of rates for the minister, to be paide 
quarterly, the first payment to begin at Michaelmas next. 
(Sept. 29.) 

Capt. Richard Bonython £3 
Richard Vines 3 

Thomas Lewis 3 

Henry Boade 2 



*Mass. State Records, 



AND BIDDEFORD, 33 

John Wadlovv £2 

Thomas Williams 2 

Robert Sankey 1 10 

Theophilus Davis 1 10 

George Frost 1 10 

Clement Greenway 1 
John Parker 1 

John Smith 1 

Samuel Andrews 1 

William Scadlock 1 

Robert Morgan 15 

Henry Warwick 1 

Richard Hitchcock 10 

Thomas Page 1 

Ambrose Berry 1 

Henry Watts 1 10 

Richard Fox well 1 10." 

To these names we add the following, derived from 
other sources : Francis Robinson, Arthur Mackworth, 
Peyton Cooke, Richard Williams, John West, Thomas 
Wise, Stephen Batson, John Baylie, Thomas Cole, John 
Wotten, James Cole, John Bonython, Morgan Howell, 
Arthur Browne, George Jewell, and Peter Hogg, servant 
t)f Mr. Greenway. Several of these persons removed to 
Casco before 1636. There were probably others here at 
the same date, whose names occur a few years later. 

The colonists chiefly settled near the sea along the 
northern margin of the Pool, where Mr. Vines passed 
the winter of 1616-7. Andrews and Scadlock were on 
the west near Little River, and T. Williams and West on 
the other side of the principal settlement, the latter above 
the mouth of Saco river. The traces of ancient habita- 
tions may be still seen in all these places. One spot near 
the head of the Pool, deserves to be more particularly 
noticed. A point of land makes out here, long known 
as Leighton's point, on which, it is said, a court-house 
stood in the infancy of the settlements in Maine. What- 
ever degree of credit we attach to this tradition, it is plain 
enough that a considerable number of the first inhabitants 
dwelt near this spot. Several cellars, now filled up and 

4 



34 HISTORY OF SACO 

overgrown with antiquated shrubbery, are yet discernin 
ble ; the mouths of two or three wells may also be seen. 
Apple-trees rotten with age, and the English cherry, 
grow here in the midst of oaks and sumachs. Tradition i 
marks out this deserted spot as the seat of the earliest set- 
tlement. It is now buried in the most perfect solitude. 
Here we may safely suppose Richard Vines passed that 
memorable winter when there was scarcely a civilized be- 
ing in any other part of New England, and afterwards 
resided in the midst of his little colony. 

A small number only of the planters settled on the 
eastern side of the river, now so much more populous 
than the other. Beside the patentees with their families, 
Foxwell, Watts, Warwick, perhaps Greenway, are all of 
those named in the book of rates, who appear to have 
pitched on this side. The two former were located at 
Blue-point, near the eastern limit of the patent, and when 
the line was accurately run, they were found to be without 
this limit. The right of Foxwell to his extensive farm at 
that place, is recited in an action brought by him against 
Capt. Cammock 1640 ; he declares, "that he hath for 
these four years or thereabouts lived at Black-point in the 
right of Capt. R. Bonython, his father in law, who set- 
tled him there and gave him as much freedom and privi- 
lege as by virtue of his patent he could, either for planting, 
fishing, fowling, or the like, which was the main cause of 
his settling there." Blue-point is near the mouth of 
Scarboro' river, on the south-western side, opposite Black- 
point or Front's Neck. The plantations on both sides of 
the stream were embraced under the name of Black-point. 

The house of Capt. Bonython stood on the left bank of 
the Saco, a short distance below the falls. The remains 
of the cellar may be still seen, in the field owned by James 
Gray, Esq. a (ew rods east of the meetinghouse of the 
Second Parish. In ploughing this piece of ground about 
seventy years ago, several articles of domestic use, such 
as spoons, candlesticks, &tc. of an antique fashion, were 
urned up, supposed to have been buried in the ruins of 
the house, which was burned by the Indians 1675. 

The early decease of Mr. Lewis, renders it difficult to 
ascertain with precision where he fixed his abode ; vari- 



AND BIDDEFORD. 35 

ous circumstances, however, lead us to suppose he lived 
in the lower part of the patent, not far from the river. 
His son in law, James Gibbins, who appears to have set- 
tled on Vine's patent 1642, where he purchased land 
*late the property of Henry Boade,' after his marriage 
removed to the patent of Mr. Lewis, and probably occu- 
pied the house, as he inherited the estate of his father in 
law. Gibbins is known to have dwelt a short distance a- 
bove the lower ferry. 

The employments of the colonists were chiefly agricul- 
ture, fishing, and trade with the natives. Most of them 
combined these pursuits, and were styled husbandmen 
or planters.* There were several mechanics among 
them. John Smith was a carpenter. R. Williams, the 
*clapboard-cleaver,' was engaged in extensive business. 
At his death 1635, he had on hand clapboards of the 
value of £164 8 4, a large amount in those days. By 
the agreement before referred to, Mr. Cooke having ad- 
vanced £30 10 6, sterling money of England, towards 
the undertaking, was to have "two full men's shares of all 
such clapboards as shall be made, or begun to be made 
upon Mr. Vines his patent in Saco by the latter end of 
June next ensuing, according to the number of persons, 
always respecting their quality and labor, who shall labor 
therein, he the said Peyton being at the charges only of 
two laborers for wages and dyett as shall be esteemed 
reasonable; the said charges to be deducted out of the 
profetts arrising out of said clapboards, beginning said 
charges 23 Oct. last, (1634,) and continuing during said 
laborers finishing the same. Likewise said sum £30 10 6 
to be repaid to said Peyton on finishing said clapboards 
within the time above specified &lc." 

The husbandmen took up tracts of 100 acres, of which 
they received leases on nominal or small rents, from Mr. 
Vines. Some of these are now on record. An estate 
that had been in the possession of Thomas Cole, includ- 
ing 'a mansion or dwellinghouse,' was leased by Mr. Vines 



*"Some are planters and fishers both, others mere fishers." Joce- 
lyn's Voyages. 208, 



36 HISTORY OF 9AC0 

to John West for the term of 1000 years, for the annuall 
rent of two shillings and one capon, a previous considera- 
tion having been paid by West. The lease, which isi 
partly in the latin language, was executed 1638."^ Another- 
deed from Vines requires the lessee to yield and pay am 
acknowledgement and rent-charge of 56-., two days' work,- 
and one fat goose yearly. In this manner were all the 
planters rendered tenants to the proprietor, none of themi 
holding their estates in fee simple, as the term is now un- 
derstood. The stock of these early farmers, being at 
first for the most part imported from England, was pro- 
bably not very extensive. The ship White Angel, already 
noticed as arriving here 1631, brought a cargo of "cows, 
goats, and hogs," but they were chiefly intended for the 
colonies of New Plymouth and Massachusetts. Mr. 
John Jocelyn,.who was in this part of the country in 1638, 
and again in 1663, says the farms were well stocked 
with cattle, but he probably refers to the period of his 
second visit. 

Fishing was the most common occupation, as it was 
both easy and profitable to barter the products of this 
business for corn from Virginia, and other stores from Eng- 
land. The trade with the planters of Massachusetts soon 
became considerable. In 1636, Mr. Vines had a con- 
signment of bread and beef from that quarter. Jocelyn 
remarks that 'Winter Harbor is a noted place for fishers ; 
here they have many stages.' He describes the mode 
of pursuing this business in the following manner : "Tlie 
fishermen take yearly on the coast many hundred quintals 
of cod, hake, haddock, pollock, &ic. and dry them at their 
stages, making three voyages in a year. They make 
merchantable and refuse fish, which they sell to Massachu- 
setts merchants ; the first for 32 ryals ($4) per quintal ; 
the refuse for 9 and 10 shillings (.^2, and 2,25.) The 
merchant sends the first to Lisbon, Bilboa, Marseilles, Bor- 
deaux, Toulon, and other cities of France ; to Canaries 
pipestaves and clapboards : the refuse fish to the W. In- 
dies for the negroes. To every shallop belong four fish- 

*See a copy of it, Appendix C 



AND BIDDEFORD. 



37 



ermen, a master or steersman, a midshipman, and a shore 
man who washes it out of the sah, and dries it upon hur- 
dles pitched upon stakes breast high, and tends their cook- 
ery. They often get in one voyage 8 or 9 barrels a share 
per man. The merchant buys of the planters beef, pork, 
peas, wheat, indian corn, and sells it to the fishermen." 

The expense of each planter to provision himself w^as 
quite small, if we may judge from an estimate furnished by 
Sir. Jocelyn for the information of proposed emigrants. 
A similar estimate had been previously made by Capt. 
Smith with reference to Virginia.* "Victuals to last one 
man a year ; 8 bushels of meal, £2 : two bushels of peas, 
6 shillings : two bushels of oatmeal, 9 shillings ': one gal- 
lon of aqua vitae, (brandy,) 2s. 6d. : one gallon of oil, 
3^. 6^. : two gallons of vinegar, 25." Total £3 35, 
equivalent to ,'J14. 

A considerable traffic was carried on with the natives 
by many of the planters, some of them visiting remote 
parts of the coast, or travelling into the interior for this 
purpose. English and French goods were bartered for 
valuable furs, particularly beaver. A man named Jen- 
kins, is said by Winthrop to have gone,in 1632, from Cape 
Porpoise, in company with an Indian, up into the country 
with goods to truck, or trade, where he was killed, and his 
goods stolen, while he was sleeping in a wigwam. The 
goods were recovered by the chief, and sent back.f The 
furs obtained in the trade with the natives, were disposed 
of to the European vessels that frequented the coast, or 
at some of the few tradinghouses established in this quar- 
ter by the western colonies, and English merchants. The 
greatest resort in our vicinity for these objects, at the pe- 
riod referred to, was Richmond's island, now a part of the 
town of Cape Elizabeth. A man named Walter Bag- 
nail traded there with one other person, in 1631, but hav- 
ing incurred the resentment of the Indians by unjust deal- 
ings with them, a party of the latter fell upon him and 
his companion, who was probably a native, murdered 
them, plundered the goods and set fire to the buildings. 



^Travels, ii. 96. tJournal i. 89. 
4* 



38 HISTORY Of SAOO \ 

Winthrop rates the value of the goods at £400. This 
took place in the fall of 1631 : Bagnall had lived on the 
island alone (as to whiteinen) three years.* Thisdar*- 
ing outrage was revenged in a summary manner more 
than a year afterwards, by a party from the westward, 
that had been to Pemaquid in pursuit of pirates ; on 
their return, landing on Richmond's island, they found 
there Black William, a chief of the Saugus or Lynn In- 
dians, who was suspected of being concerned in the Bag- 
nall affair, and hanged him on the spot.f 

The Casco patent of Trelawney and Goodyear, de- 
scribed above, included this island. Those gentlemen 
did not come over, but sent as their agent and associate, 
Mr, John Winter, to whom Mr. Vines, the attorney of 
the Council, delivered possession of the premises July 21, 
1632. Mr. Winter established himself on Richmond's 
island, and made that spot the scene of extensive com- 
mercial operations for nearly fifteen years. The island 
is accurately described by Jocelyn, as distant four miles 
from Black-point, one mile from Spurwink, three miles 
in circumference, and having a passable and gravelly ford 
on the north side between the main and the sea. J Mr. 
Jocelyn at the period of his first voyage, passed a year 
with his brother, Henry Jocelyn, Esq. at Black-point. He 
had thus the means of becoming well acquainted with the 
principal inhabitants in this quarter. Mr. Winter, he 
says, is a grave, discreet man, and employs sixty men 
upon the design of fishing. Jocelyn notices a bark of 
300 tons burthen that was spoken by the ship in which he 
fame to New England, "loaded with island wine, bound 
for Richmond's island, fitted out by Mr. Trelawney of 
Plymouth." This was in 1638. From another source 
we learn that the bark Richmond sailed from that island 
in 1639, doubtless the same vessel. Three other ships 
belonging to. Mr. Trelawney, were employed in voyages 



♦Journal I. 62, 63. tibid I 99. Lewis, Hist, of Lynn. 43. The 
beautiful frontispiece of this work, represents Black William selling 
Nahant to a planter for a suit of clothes. 

|The name of John Richmond occurs in the court records 1636-7. 
His servant is spoken of. He had perhaps lived on the island and oc- 
casioned its name. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 39 

to Richmond's island at that period, viz. the Hercules, 
the Margery, and the Agnes. The former sailed thence 
1641, the Margery the year following, the Hercules a- 
gain 1643. We learn from a statement drawn up 1648, 
that by the terms of agreement between Trelawney and 
Winter, "the full government of the plantation was whol- 
ly committed" to the latter, and that he received for his 
services one tenth part of the patent, the same propor- 
tion of all things in the plantation and profits that should 
arise, and £40 per annum in money. 

Jocelyn speaks of the enormous profits made by the 
Massachusetts merchants, in this part of the country, who 
kept "here and there fair magazines stored with English 
goods." ^^U they do not gain," he says, "cent, per cent, 
they cry out they are losers." Similar complaints were 
brought against Mr. Winter by our planters. At the court 
of 1640, he was presented by the grand jury for extor- 
tion. "Imprimis," say they, "we do present Mr. John 
Winter of Richmond's island, for that Thomas Wise of 
Casco hath declared upon his oath that he paid unto Mr. 
John Winter a noble {6s. Sd.) for a gallon of aqua vitae 
about two months since, and further he declareth that the 
said Mr. Winter bought of Mr. George Luxton, when 
he was last in Casco bay, a hogshed of aqua vitae for 
£1 sterling, about nine months since."* 

The article had thus afforded the merchant a profit of 
200 per cent., reckoning sixty three gallons to the hogs- 
head. This might be justly considered extortionate. 
"Mr. John West being one of the grand inquest, declared 
that he bought by William Cutts of Mr. John Winter a 
potle of aqua vitae at 2s. per quart, and one paire of 
greigh stocking at 2s. and shot at 4d. the pound, for which 
he paid by the said William Cutts in beaver at 65. the 
pound, being good skinn beaver which he himself took at 
8s. the pound. Richard Tucker being one of the greate 

*Mr Jocelyn returned to England 1639, with Capt Luxton in the 
Fellowship, 170 tons, of Biddeford, in Devonshire. "Several of my 
friends (he writes) came to bid me farewell, among others Captain 
Thomas Warnerton (of Pascataqua,) who drank to me a pint of kill- 
devil, alias Khum, at a draught." p. 26. 



40 HISTORY OF SACO 

inquest declareth, that Thomas Wise of Casco coming 
from Richmond's Island, and having bought of Mr. John 
Winter a flaggott of liquor, aqua vitae, for which he paid 
hiiii as he said a noble, asking myself and petitioner if vve^ 
would be pleased to accept of a cupp of noble liquor,^'' &:c. 
After the death of Mr. Winter, which took place about 
1648,* the establishment on the island was broken up. 
On the opposite shore, near the mouth of the small river 
Spurwink, a few individuals were settled before Winter's 
arrival. The famous George Cleaves was one of them, 
who contested the title of Trelawney and Goodyear to 
that part of their patent, in an action of trespass on the 
case, brought at the June term of the comt of 1640 a- 
gainst their agent. "An action of interruption" was en- 
tered at the same time. "Mr. Abraham Short (of Pem- 
aquid) and Mr. Thomas Williams became special bail to 
the plaintiff in £1000, that the defendant shall appear to 
both these actions at a court to be holden here (at Saco) 
8 Sept. next. The plaintiff here declares in both ac- 
tions, and the defendant is ordered by the court to brings 
in his answers unto Richard Vines, Esq. at or before Aug. 
25, and the defendant is ordered likewise to put in his re- 
plies at or before Sept. 1 next." From the declaratioiv 
of Cleaves in one of these cases, we learn that Capt. 
Walter Neal, an agent of Mason and Gorges on the Pas- 
cataqua, had put Richard Bradshaw in possession of a 
considerable tract at Spurwink, who soon after sold to 
Richard Tucker. Capt. Neal first came to New Eng- 
land I630,f and Cleaves the same year took up a lot of 
land containing 2000 acres at Spurwink, by virtue of a 
promise made to him in England, as he declared, by Sir 
F. Gorges, who encouraged his coming over. Finding 
Tucker settled there, Cleaves entered into partnership 
with him ; they joined their titles and agreed to build and 
plant together. This connexion had existed about two 
years, when Winter appeared with the patent of Trelaw- 
ney and Goodyear, and succeeded in obtaining possession. 



*Mr. Trelawney died three years before. Records. tWinthrop. 1. 
38. Hubbard. N. E. 216. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 41 

Winter in this case pleaded the grant of the Council, and 
denied the validity oi" a verbal promise ; Capt. Neal, he al- 
so stated, had no power then to dispose of lands in this part 
of the province, but only at Pascataqua. The jury, of 
which Richard Foxwell was foreman, found for the plain- 
tiff, Cleaves, the house and four acres adjoining it, £80 
damages, and costs of court. The court gave judgment 
on this verdict, except Vines, who dissented. 

At the same term, there was a suit between the same 
parties for "a neck of land called by the Indiana Machi- 
gony, beginning at a point opposite Hog island and run- 
ning west," on which "Cleaves and Tucker had planted 
for divers years," having removed thither soon after the 
arrival of Winter. This neck of land is now the site of 
Portland. Cleaves recovered by pleading a proclama- 
tion of King James, "granting 150 acres of land to any 
subject of his who should transport himself at his own 
charge to America, and the same for every person he 
should carry thither; and that "finding this tract unoccu- 
pied, he had taken possession of it, and had retained pos- 
session now seven years." The whole tract which Mr. 
Cleaves claimed and recovered, comprised 1500 acres, 
extending some way into the country. Other planters 
established themselves about Casco bay at the same time, 
among whom were Mackworih, Robinson, Cooke, Wise 
and Browne, from the number of our colonists. 

Capt. Thomas Cammock first settled on the eastern 
bank of the Pascataqua, where he obtained a grant of 
land from Gorges 2 June, 1633. It was conveyed to him 
by Walter Neale, who styled himself "Governor of the 
colonies to be planted within the precincts of Gorges, 
Mason, and their associates." Three years after, Cam- 
mock sold this tract 'extv:;nding half way to Agamenticus 
river' to James Treworgy (Trueworthy). Winthrop men- 
tions his arrival at Boston Oct. 18, 1632, in Capt. Neal's 
pinnace from Pascataqua, with Mr. Godfrey, merchant, 
(a'terwards governor of a part of Maine.) "They 
brouglit," ays Winthrop, "16 hogsheads of corn to 
the n>ill."* The Black-point patent dated Nov. 1, 1631, 

*I. 90. Belknap adds, "there was no mill at Pascataqua at that 
time." Hist. N. H. i. 25, 



42 HISTORY OF SACO 

has the following; clause : "Considering that for two years 
past he has inhabited in New England, and built conven-* 
ient housings and spent several sunns of money in the 
more ample discovery of the coasts and harbors of those 
parts," &LC. Reference is here made without doubt to 
Cammock's operations at Pascataqua. His grant on that 
river was 'in consideration of his expence, and charge 
and desertful endeavor.' The precise year of Cammock's 
removal to the seat of his patent, is not known. Mr. 
Jocelyn first came over 1634,* in the interest of Mason, 
with the intention of settling at the upper plantation on 
the Pascataqua, but on the death of that gentleman in 
1635, he removed to Black-point. f Capt. Cammock 
died on a voyage to the West Indies 1643, having be- 
queathed his estate at Black-point to his friend Jocelyn, 
reserving 500 acres to his wife. Cammock's house stood 
on the Neck, probably occupying nearly the same spot on 
which one of his successors in that property, Tiniothy 
Prout, Esq. built an elegant mansion in the succeeding 
century. Mj'. Jocelyn married the relict of the paten- 
tee, and continued to reside at Black-point during many 
years, taking an active and conspicuous part in the affairs 
of the Province. 

The territory now embracing the towns of Kittery, El- 
iot, South Berwick, and Berwick, originally composed 
but one town, called Pascataqua. This name was re- 
tained until 1652, when it was changed to Kittery. Gor- 
ges, Mason, and their associates, who commenced the set- 
tlements on the Pascataqua, had a trading or fishing es- 
tablishment on the Kittery side as early as 1632. In a 
letter to one of their agents at the close of that year, they 
say : "We have committed the chief care of our house 
at Pascataway to Mr. Godfrey, and written unto Mr. 
Warnerton to take careof our house at Strawberry-bank," 
(Portsmouth.) The agent in his answer, the next sum- 
mer, writes that "Mr. Warnerton hath the charge of the 
house at Pascataway," and eniunerates six persons with 



*Belkn. Hist. Appendix viii. f Hubbard's Hist. N. E. 224. This 
Writer has made some confusion of dates relative to these gentlemen. 
See page 2IG. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 43 

him there. Warnerton had land allotted to him at the 
*ame place, bounding Cammock's grant on the south. 
In 1634, the patentees divided their lands 'on the 
north east side of the harbor and river of Pascataqna,' 
when they 'not only each of them shipped people to 
plant on their respective lands at their own charge, but 
gave (hrection to invite, and authority to receive such 
others as may be had, to be tenants, to plant and live 
there for the more speedy peopling of the country.'* 
Before 1640, a large number ol planters arrived. Among 
them were Capt. F. Champernoon, Nicholas Frost, J. 
Trueworthy, Wm. Everett, Edvv. Small, John Edge- 
comb, John Pickes, .John Heard, Thos. Spencer, Peter 
Wyer. Humphry Chadbourne came over earlier, and 
built a house at Strawberry -bank, but was an inhabitant on 
this side of the river 1640. He lived at Newichawa- 
nock,f (S. Berwick.) Frost settled on Sturgeon creek, 
now in Eliot. 

The following passage of Hubbard's History relates to 
both sides of the Pascataqua. "In the year 1631, when 
Edward Colcott first came thither, (who was afterwards, 
for want of a better, for some years together chosen gov- 
ernor of the plantations about Dover) there were but 
three houses (as he affirmed) in all that side of the country 
adjoining unto Pascataqua river, nor is it said that any 
were built by Capt. Neale ; but after his return home for 
England (1633) Sir F. Gorges, Capt. Mason, and the 
rest of the adventurers, sent over other agents and sup- 
plies for carrying on their designs. "J 

After the early operations of Col. Norton and Capt. 
Wm. Gorges at Agamenticus, before noticed, we first 
find inhabitants there in 1636. Capt. Gorges came over 
a second time 1635, with commissions for a general gov- 
ernment, and probably renewed the settlement on that riv- 
er. The next year, Ed w. Godfrey and William Hooke 
appear to be resident there, and in the court held at Saco, 
*the officer of Accomenticus' (in the words of the re- 



*Letter from Gorges and Mason. Belkn. Hist. 1. Appx. vii, tThi« 
Indian name was applied to Salmon Falls river. It was often written 
Newgee'wanacke. :tHist. N. E.219. 



44 HISTORY OF 3AC0 

cord) *per petition craveth pardon for not appearing.' Ai 
grant of land on the north side of the Aii;amenticus waS: 
made by Sir F. Gorges Dec. 1, 1631, to Samuel Maver- 
ick of Noddle's island, (Mass. Bay,) William Jefferies,, 
and William Hooke. Mr. Maverick was living in the 
Bay when the Mass. colonists arrived, and is often noti- 
ced as a respectable planter by the early writers. Mr. 
Jefferies has been already mentioned.* Mr. Hooke wit- 
nessed the delivery of possession of the Pemaquid 
patent 1633. In what year his residence at Agamenti- 
cijs commenced, we are not informed. He married Mrs. 
Eleanor, the widow of Capt. Walter Norton, and remov- 
ed to Salisbury, Mass. 1640, although appointed by Gor*- 
ges a counsellor of Maine in that year. He died before 
1654, and his widow returned to York. These gentle- 
men conveyed their grant to Roger Garde 1637, to whom i 
it was confirmed by Maverick five years alter. Mr. 
Garde sold to George Puddington 1645 ; Puddington's 
widow married John Davis of York, by whom it was as- 
signed to John Garde, merchant, of Boston 1662. Mn\ 
Hooke was interested in another grant, called the Aga- 
menticus patent. In 1693, his son William assigned his 
part of it to James Coffin of Newbury. Edward God- 
frey, Oliver Godfrey, (his son,) and Richard Rowe were 
associated in a de«?d of 1 500 acres on the north side of! 
Cape Neddock creek, 1638. They were required to pay j 
a rent of 2s. per 100 acres to the agent of Sir Ferdi*- 
nando Gorges. I 

The incorporation of Agamenticus as a city under the* 
name of Gorgeana, in 1641, is a fact too singular in the 
monotonous character of our early settlements, not to be 
familiar to those least conversant with these subjects. 
The territory incorporated was on the eastern side of the 
river, extending seven miles into the land and three on^| 
the seaboard. f Thomas Gorges,Esq. was the first mayor 
of the city. The board of aldermen was composed of: 
E. Godfrey, R. Garde, Geo. Puddington, Bartholomew! 
Barnet, Edw. Johnson, Arthur Bragdon, Henry Simpson, ,j] 

*Supra, p. 31. tYork is now full eight miles square 



AND BIDDEFORH. 45 

and John Rogers. Mr. Garde was also appointed recor- 
der. The corporation were empowered to "keep court 
ieete once every year within ten days either before or 
after Michaehnas, whereunto all persons above the age 
of twelve years may be warned to appear :" and they 
were exempted from the jurisdiction of any other officers 
for the administration of justice within the province of 
Maine, for any matter arising within the limits of the 
corporation. 'And in further consideration of the tender 
regard,' says the charter of Sir Ferdinando, "I have 
and bear to the further good and advancement of the 
happiness and weal public of the said city and of the said 
Province, and that trading and commerce may be the 
more readily advanced, I do appoint and establish a Mar- 
ket to be kept upon Wednesday in every week forever 
within said town, and that there shall be two Fairs held 
and kept there every year forever hereafter, viz. upon 
the feast days of St. James and St. Paul," &ic.* 

Mr. Gorges returned to England 1643, and was suc- 
ceeded in the mayoralty by Roger Garde, Esq. In the 
following year a woman of Gorgeana was tried in the 
mayor's court for the murder of her husband, condemned 
and executed. The officers of the Province by the in- 
vitation of the mayor assisted in conducting the trial ; 
the terms of the charter prohibiting their interference 
without the special license and consent of the corpora- 
tion. The inhabitants probably continued to enjoy the 
municipal privileges secured to them by their charter, 
until 1652, when they first acknowledged the jurisdic- 
tion of Massachusetts, and were incorporated as the town 
of York. 

There were few settlers east of Casco before 1 640, 
and even for several succeeding years. Mr. Thomas 
Purchase was settled at Pegypscot, now Brunswick, in 
1639, and probably a few years before. At that date, he 
conveyed to the government of Mass. Bay a tract of land 
on both sides of the Androscoggin, four miles square, for 
the settlement of a new colony, reserving to himself a 
sufficient estate out of it. By the same deed, he placed 

*York Records. Hazard's Coil. 1. 4b0. 
5 



46 HISTORY OF SACO 

himself under their jurisdiction. Mr. Purchase liad no i 
other than an Indian title to the land, or he would not 
have thrown himself upon the protection of that Colony. 
As it was included within the patent of Maine granted 
the next year, the intended colony was not planted, and 
Purchase himself after some delay acknowledged the 
jurisdiction of Gorges. 

The colony of New Plymouth established a trading- 
house on the Kennebec in 1628,* by virtue of their pa- 
tent obtained from the Council. At a period long subse- 
quent, there was much dispute respecting the location of 
this tradinghouse, in connection with the determination of 
the bounds of the patent. We have little doubt that it 
was situated near the mouth of that river. The object of 
the colony in obtaining a grant of lands, was to secure 
the whole trade of the Keiinebec, and to defend the ex- 
ercise of this claim, they built a fort at its entrance. In 
1634, a contest occurred there in the presence of two of 
their magistrates with a trader from Pascataqua. The 
former, claiming an exclusive right to the traffic on the 
river, ordered the intruder to depart ; he refused and was 
killed by a shot from the fort. The marks of a former 
settlement in the lower part of Phippsburg, are probably 
the remains of the fort and tradinghouse. An investiga- 
tion of this affray was made at Boston soon after,'lest' says 
Gov. Winthrop, 'it might give occasion to the king to send 
a general governor over, and that it might not bring us all 
under the common reproach of cutting one another's 
throats for beaver'. The Plymouth men acknowledged 
themselves 'under the guilt of the sixth commandment.' 
An establishment was made at Penobscot immediately 
after the grant to Beauchamp and Leverett passed the 
seal of the Council. Mr. Edward Ashley was sent over 
for this purpose 1630,f furnished by the English ad- 
venturers with a plentiful stock of goods for trade with 
the natives. The New Plymouth people were solicited 



^Prince. 172. } Gov. Bradford's Letter book. 1. Mass. Hist. Coll. 
lii. 72- Hutchinson and succeedinar writers date the Penobscot eetab- 
lishraent 1G27, unsupported by Bradford or Prince, 



AND BIDDEFORD. 47 

to engage in this enterprise, for which they had no great 
fancy ; but their interest compelled them to fall in with 
the humor of their friends in England. The objection 
seems to have been to the character of the agent, who in 
less than two years after, on some pretence of violating 
the regulations of the tradinghouse, was seized by order 
of the colony, and sent to England. The direction of 
the whole establishment was then taken into their own 
hands.* It was soon after robbed by the French, and 
in 1635, was captured by a French frigate from Nova 
Scotia, and retained until 1654. It is said to have been 
located where Castine now stands. 

Pemaquid, now Bristol, about thirty miles east of the 
Kennebec, was settled as early as 1628; for the patent 
sets forth that the people or servants of Aldworth and 
Eibridge, the grantees, inhabited there three years pre- 
vious to the date of that instrument. Legal possession 
was taken of the premises by Mr. Abraham Short, in 
May, 1633. Each settler was allowed to receive 100 
acres, adjoining to the principal grant. It is said that the 
lineal descendants of some of the original planters 
now hold possession of the allotments thus made to 
their ancestors.f The first notice we have of Mr. Short, 
(sometimes written Shurd,) is as the restorer of the Lynn 
queen or the wife of the Lynn sachem, who was taken 
prisoner at Agawam, now Ipswich, by the eastern In- 
dians, 1631. Short, who trafficked with those Indians, 
caused her to be restored for a moderate ransom of wam- 
pam and beaver the same year. J 

Tlie first seiders came generally from the counties of 
Devonshire and Somersetshire, in the southwestern part 
of England. In the former county, the towns of Ply- 
mouth, Tiverton, Biddeford, and Hobberton, and the city 
of Exeter, respectively supplied our shores with inhabi- 
tants. Bristol, and places in the neighborhood of that 
city, in Somersetshire, are often mentioned in the transac- 



*Prince. tHist. of Belfast. 14. How does it appear that the pa- 
tentees themselves came over, as stated in that work. p. 13. 
^Winthrop. I. 21. Lewis' Hist, of Lynn. 40, 



48 HISTORY OF SACO 

tions of our colonists. Emigrants continued to arrive^ 
from time to time, encouraged to come over by Gorges 
and the other patentees, until the death of the former and 
the distracted state of the Province, arrested the progress 
of the settlements. The colonists of New Plymouth 
and Mass. Bay were for the most part from an opposite 
quarter of England, and widely differed from the eastern 
planters in their opinions and habits. It is, therefore, a 
mistaken notion that the puritans were the common fore- 
fathers of all New England. They were a peculiar and 
distinct people, with whom our early inhabitants had no 
community of feeling or interest. Much of the present 
population in this section of the country is, indeed, derived 
from that quarter, but the old stock of the original plan- 
ters yet flourishes, and has spread its multiplied branches 
from the seats of the first settlements over every part of 
the inhabited territory of Maine. ^ 



CHAPTER IV. 



The powers of government were clearly vested in the 
Council of Plymouth by the terms of their charter. 
As early as 1623, a general governor of New England 
was commissioned by them, and sent out, accompanied 
by a number of colonists. But this attempt failed ; 
the governor, Robert Gorges, a son to Sir Ferdinando, 
returned to England the following year, and the colonists 
were dispersed. The plan of a general government was 
revived in 1635 ; the country from St. Croix to Mary- 
land was partitioned into provinces, over which Sir F, 
Gorges was to be appointed governor, to the great con- 

' *In a letter from Ambrose Gibbins, an agent of Mason and Gorges 
on the Pascataaua, dated 6 August, 1634, there is a reference to the 
business of R. Williams and others at this place, that should have 
been before noticed : "The 6th August,the shippe is ready to set sayle 
for Saco to load cloavebords (clapboards) apd pipe staves," Belkn. 
Hist. i. Appx. ix. 



AND BIDDEFORB. 49 

sternalion of the Massachusetts colonies. This scheme 
was also abandoned. Gorges exercised no jurisdictiori 
in N. England before 1636 : so ill defined or feebly as- 
serted was his title under the Laconia patent, that his 
right even to assign small parcels of land, except in the 
neighborhood of the Pascataqua, fell into dispute. No 
government therefore existing in this quarter, the planters, 
immediately after their arrival, apparently formed a Com- 
bination, similar to those afterwards established at Exeter 
and other plantations in New Hampshire ; voluntarily 
agreeing to obey the laws of England as administered by 
officers chosen from their own number. The compact 
was usually written and subscribed by the inhabitants ;* 
and although no such document framed by our colonists 
has been preserved, we are unable to explain the follow- 
ing order of the court without supposing one to have 
existed. "Feb. 9, 1636-7. It is ordered that Mr. 
Thomas Lewis shall appear the next court day at the 
now dwelling house of Thomas Williams, there to an- 
swer his contempt, and to show cause why he will not de- 
liver up the Combination belonging to us.'' 

In 1635 the Council resigned their charter into the 
hands of the King, after granting a new patent to Gorges, 
comprehending the territory between the Pascataqua and 
Sagadehock. He forthwith took measures for establish- 
ing a government within these limits. For this purpose 
he sent over Capt. W. Gorges, f with commissions to 
Vines, Bonython, Cammock, Jocelyn, Purchase, God- 
frey, and Lewis, as counsellors of the province, to which 
he gave the name of New Somersetshire. These gen- 
tlemen convened at Saco, on the eastern side of the river, 
soon after the arrival of Capt. Gorges. The record is 
commenced in the following form : 

"At a meeting of the Commissioners in the house of 
Capt. R. Bonython in Saco, this 25th day of March, 
1636, present, Capt. R. Bonython, Capt. W. Gorges, 
Capt. Cammock, Mr. PL Jocelyn, Mr. T. Purchase, E. 



*See a copy of the Exeter Combination, Hazard's Coll. I. 463. 
t Jocelyn says : "In 1635, Capt W, Gorges was sent over Gover- 
nor of the Province of Maine, then called New Somersetshire.' 
5* 



50 HISTORY OP SACO 

Godfrey and T. Lewis, Gents." The court was con- 
tinued for several days. The petition of the officer of 
Agamenticus, craving pardon for not appearing, was pre- 
sented the first day. A (ew extracts from the records 
will not be uninteresting. "Monday, 28, March, 1636. 
To the petition of Mr. T. Lewis for words of defama- 
tion spoken per Mr. T. Williams against Mr. T. Lewis : 
it is this present day ordered, that Mr. T. W. shall be 
bound to answer to the suit of Mr. Lewis at the next 
general court in the penalty of £100, and a sufficient jury 
of this Province to be returned to try the difference." 

"To the request of Mrs. Joan Vines, and an order of 
Sir F. Gorges as per the same at large appeareth,and 
other circumsrances us inducing, concerning the differ- 
ence between Capt. R. Bonython and Mr. T. Lewis a- 
gainst Mrs. Joan Vines, concerning the plantingof corn on 
the island where she planted formerly, and an order left 
per her husband now to plant : It is ordered for the pre- 
servation of the public peace and the general good of the 
country, that Mrs. Joan Vines shall peaceably plant what 
she hath formerly planted and what more she can plant. 
Also Capt. R. Bonython and Mr. T. Lewis to plant what 
they can except where Mrs. Vines planteth, and for trial, 
of the title to said island, to rest till further trial may be I 
made thereof, and this we register, ratify and confirm, ,: 
although Mr. T.L. did opprobriously, in open court, lacer- I 
ate and tear an order made to that purpose, and subscri- •' 
bed as per the same appeareth, when a fifth commission- 
er was to affirm to it." We thus learn one cause of dis- 
satisfaction on the part of Mr. Lewis towards the new 
government, and perhaps of his refusal to surrender the i! 
instrument of Combination. 

"It is petitioned per Mr. E. Godfrey that an attach- 
ment might bee of one brasse kettell now in the hands off 
Mr. E. Godfrey, belonging unto Mr. John Straten of ai| 
debt dew now 3 years f^iom Mr. Straten to him," &;c. j 
The court decreed said kettle to be answerable to the ' 
suit of Mr. Godfrey at the next term. Stratton's islands 
off Black-point, included in Cammock's patent, probably 
derived their name from the defendant in this action. 
We find no other notice of him. 



AND BIDDEFORD. ^l 

"March 29, 1636. It is ordered that any man that 
doth sell strong liquor or wyne, shall suffer his neighbor, 
laborer or servant to continue drinking in the house ex- 
cept men invited or laborers upon the working day for 
one hovver at diner, or stranger or lodger there, the s^d 
offence being seene by one justis of the peace within hfs 
limits, or constable, or pruved by tew w^itnesses before a 
justis of the peace, such seller of strong liquor or wyne 
shall forfet for every such offence tenne shillings." 

"April 4, 1637. It is agreed between Capt. R. Bony- 
thon, R. Vines, and T. Lewis, that the said H. Vines 
shall pay for a pair of slocks and a lock to them : ffor 
that J. West his corne was gathered contrary to order. 
And soe all controversies about the Hands are ended, ac- 
cording to a former order in Mr. Richard Gibson's hands.' 

'Clement Greenway his affidavit. This deponent saith 
that the 5th July 1635, Mr. T. Lewis did hyre the said 
Greenway his servant called Peter Hogg till the midst of 
March following, and the said Lewis was to pay this de- 
ponent seaven £ for his servants byre, and this deponent 
saith that he did not promise that the said Hogg could 
caulk boats very well.' 

'It is ordered that every planter or inhabitant shall doe 
his best endeavor to apprehend, execute or kill any In- 
dian that hath binne known to murder any Inglish, kill 
their cattle or any way spoyle their goods, doe them vio- 
lence, and will not make them satisfaction ; if it shall be 
proved that any planter or inhabitant hath benne negligent 
therein, he shall be fined at the discretion of the bench.' 
^Arthur Browne and Arthur Mackworth are empowered 
to make John Cosins pay satisfaction to an Indian for the 
wrong he hath done him.' 

Among the civil suits, were Wm. Scadlock against Mor- 
gan Howell, an action of debt ; John Richmond against 
T. Lewis, trespass ; T. Page against J. Richmond, tres- 
pass ; Mr. R. Gibson against Geo. Jewell, mariner, debt. 
A warrant is recorded, dated Sept. 6, 1636, requiring 
the constable of Saco to attach the property of George 
Cleaves to satisfy a debt of £6 13 8, in favor of Wil- 
liam Ryall ; signed by Vines, Bonython, Cammock, and 
Lewis. 



52 HISTOUY OF SACO 

John Wotton and three others were presented by the 
officer of the place, Mr. Theoph. Davis, for drunkenness, 
and fined 55. V^d. a piece. John Bonython, for another 
offence, was fined 406-. R. Hitchcock was put in the 
stocks for abusing the court. 

The records of New Somersetshire are not extended V 
beyond the year 1637. It is uncertain, therefore, whether i 
the courts continued to be holden until the new organiza-; 
tion of the government in 1640. George Cleaves went 
to England in 1636, and it is probable gave no very 
favoiable account of the affairs of the province to the 
lord proprietor; for the next year he returned with an 
order from Gorges to the authorities of Mass. Bay "to 
govern," in the words of Winthrop, "his province of New 
Somersetshire," as well as "to oversee his servants and 
private affairs."* Cleaves at the same time obtained for 
himself and Tucker, a grant of the tract already noticed 
as in dispute a few years after ; the form of the con- 
veyance is, 'to G. Cleaves and R. Tucker, of Casco, 
in the Province of New Somerset, by Sir F. Gorges, 
Lord of said Pj-ovince." 

Gov. Winthrop and the other gentlemen of Mass. Bay, 
to whom the commission of Gorges was addressed, 
declined executing his wishes, professing to be ignorant 
of his right to the government of the province. No great 
cordiality had existed between Sir Ferdinando and the 
members of that colony. His extensive claims to lands 
embraced in their patent, supported by the Council of 
Plymouth, had occasioned them no small degree of anx- 
iety. In the manifesto of the Council, setting foi'th the 
causes of the resignation of their charter, the Mass. pa- 
tentees are expressly charged with having 'surreptitious- 
ly' acquired a title to the tract formerly granted to Robert 
Gorges, 'whose servants, with certain other undertakers 
and tenants' in the service of some of the Council, were 
thrust out by those intruders.'f It is not strange, there- 
fore, that the commission of Gorges was treated with ne- 
glect ; a result little regretted we suppose by the inhabi- 

*Journal. i. 231. f Hazard, i. 391. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 53 

tants of the province. The artful representations of 
Cleaves were doubtless the occasion of its being sent. 
The character of the counsellors of New Somersetshire, 
and the re-appointment of several of them in the new 
organization of 1640, disprove the idea of any misman- 
agement of the powers entrusted to them. 

In concluding; a notice, necessarily brief, of the first 
provincial jurisdiction exercised in this section of New 
Erigland, it is proper to advert to the fact that no account 
of it is found in the only history of Maine yet published, 
'There was an early mistake,' Sidlivan observes, 'in call- 
ing the province of Maine, New Somerset, which was 
the county, not the provincial name of the territory.' 
Tliis remark seems to have been suggested by the deed 
to Cleaves and Tucker.* Yet the respected author had 
before observed that 'Gorges had a government or au- 
thority in the year 1636' ; founding this statement, how- 
ever, on the solitary fact that Thomas Bradbury, as the 
agent of Sir Ferdinando, sold in that year a tract of land 
to Edward Johnson. f The records from which we have 
furnished extracts, of course escaped his notice. New 
Somerset was uniformly styled a province, not a county, 
in the instruments executed before 1640. Beside the 
deeds already referred to, an indenture or agreement be- 
tween 'E. Godfrey, and W. Hooke of Bristol, now of 
Agamenticus, in the Province of New Somerset,' dated 
1638, is found on record. 

In 1639, Gorges obtained a charter from the King, 
confirming the grant of the Council, which directed that 
the territory 'shall forever hereafter be called and named 
the Province or Countie of Maine.' The name was be- 
stowed in compliment to the queen of England, a daugh- 
ter of Henry IV. of France, who was connected by title 
or estate with the province of Meyne in France. 

Soon after obtaining the royal charter, Gorges issued a 
commission to Sir Thomas Jocelyn, Knight, Richard 
Vines, Esq. his 'steward general,' Francis Champernoon, 
bis 'loving nephew' ; Henry Jocelyn and Richard Bony- 

^Erroneously printed Tuckerman. Sail. 315. tSull. 305. The tract 
consisted of 500 acres near Braveboat harbor, York. 



54 HISTORY OF SACO 

thon, Esquires ; William Hooke and Edward Godfrey/J 
Gentlemen, to be his Counsellors for the administration 
of the government of the Province. This instrument is 
dated 2 September, 1639. Sir Thomas Jocelyn did not 
come over, and in March following, Gorges framed anew 
commission, substituting in place of that gentleman, his 
"trusty and well beloved cousin, Thomas Gorges, Esq."* 
The arrival of Gov. Gorges in the summer of 1640, at 
Boston, is noticed by Winthrop, who describes him as'*a 
young gendeman of the inns of court," (i. e. a lawyer,) 
*'a kinsman to Sir F. Gorges, and sent by him with a 
commission for the government of his province of New 
Somersetshire. He was sober and well disposed : he 
staid a few days at Boston, and was very careful to take 
advice of our magistrates how to manage his affairs. "f 

The first general Court under this government was held 
at Saco, 25ih June, 1640, when the Counsellors, except 
Gorges who had not yet arrived, were sworn into office, 
together with R. Sankey, provost marshal, Thomas El- 
kins, under-marshal, and Roger Garde, of Gorgeana, 
register. Nicholas Frost was appointed constable of 
Pascataqua ; Michael Mitten ofCasco; John Wilkinson, 
of Black-point. The inhabitants were required to attend 
this court, to profess allegiance to the new government : 
a list of those of Pascataqua, both who appeared, and who 
"made default in not appearing," twenty four in all, was 
placed on record. This court was an executive and 
legislative, as well as a judicial body, and exercised a 
general control over the affairs of the Province. It was 
holden in the name of "Sir Ferdinando Gorges, Knight, 
Lord Proprietor of the Province of Maine," who was 
made Lord Palatine, with the same powers and privileges 
as the Bishop of Durham, in the county Palatine of Dur- 
ham. More ample povvers, it has been said, were never 
bestowed on a British subject. J The paramount authori- 



*See Appendix to Sullivan's History. The last comniission is 
dated March 10, 1639. which Sullivan, not attending to the old nioda 
of computing the year, has taken to be previous to Sept. 1G39. The 
instrument of the March date refers to another "bearing date iu 
September last past " 

tJournal. ii. 9-10. tJudge D. Sewall's Charge. 1790. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 55 

ty of the crown, seems scarcely to have been recognized. 
The style of the judicial proceedings supposed the pre- 
sence of the lord proprietor. Thus Cleaves in the case 
before described, pleaded "a promise made unto him by 
you, Sir F. Gorges." 

The second term of the court was holden in Septem- 
ber, when "the Worshipful Thomas Gorges" was pres- 
ent with the other counsellors. At this time it was or- 
dered that "henceforth there should be one General court 
holden at.Saco, for the whole Province of Maine, every 
year, on the 25th day of June, if it fall not on the sab- 
bath day, which if it shall, then the said court to begin the 
day following. But if urgent occasions require it, then 
the said Council to call another court at such time as they 
shall think meet." The other courts were to be held by 
a portion of the Council, at Gorgeana, for the inhabitants 
from Pascataqua to Kennibonke ; at Saco, for the inhabi- 
tants from Kennibonke to Sagadehock ; three times a 
year at each place. These inferior courts had no juris- 
diction in capital felonies, or civil actions involving titles 
to lands. A (ew extracts from the records of 1640, will 
be added to those already given.* 

"Joseph Boles hath presented to the grand inquest 
Thomas Heard for being drunk. The last night after 
sunset the delinquent came to the plaintiff's house and 
offered violence to his person by striking him, threatening 
him with many violent words to break open the store to 
the great disturbance of himself and the people that were 
therein, and he further declareth that he received his 
drink at the house of William Scadlock. W. Scadlock 
presented by the grand inquest for this misdemeanor in his 
house, was fined 20*. by the Court, which upon his hum- 
ble petition was remitted. T. Heard fined 5s. for being 
drunk. Paid." Mr. Bowles, the complainant, lived at 
Winter Harbor at that time. He was afterwards a re- 
spectable inhabitant of Wells, "John Bonython versus 
Richard Gibson, minister. Action of debt. Plaintiff 
declares that defendant oweth him 5/. due upon a bill 



*Supra. pp. 39-40. 



56 HISTORV OF SACO 

1 May last, and also 3/. 6s. upon account. The defendant : 
by his attorney, Francis Robinson, in part confesseth the ; 
action and intreateth that the matter in difference may be; 
referred to arbitration ; admitted by the court with the ; 
consent of the Plaintiff, and the defendant by his attorney 
engages that the corn which he has growmg in Saco, shall I 
remain for security to the plaintiff for the payment of the; 
debt according to arbitration or otherwise. Arbitrators, . 
G. Cleaves and A. Mackworth." 

"Action of slander. Arthur Browne versus Thomas- 
Purchase. A. Browne cometh into this court and declar- 
eth that whereas he hath been bred a merchant from his 
youth upward, and lived in this country these seven years 
in good reputation and credit without scandalous reproach 
of false or injurious dealing, yet the defendant hath wrong- 
ly accused him of bribery and perjury," &ic. Verdict i 
for plaintiff, damages 5/." *'Richard Gibson and Mary/ 
his wife versus John Bonython, (son of Richard.) Ac- 
tion of slander. That on or about 28 April 1640, in the 
dwellinghouse of Thomas Lewis, deceased, he did slan*« 
~der the plaintiff for a base priest, a base knave, a base fel- 
low," (not sparing his wife) — "all which he repeated in 
the house of R. Vines, Esq. Damages set at 500Z. Ver- 
dict for the plaintiff; damages 6/. 6s. 8^." "Mr. Arthur 
Browne is presented for swearing two oaths — fined 2s. 
John Payne is fined Is. for swearing one oath. H. Watts 
and W. Frethy for profaning the sabbath in carrying of 
bords contrary to his Majesty's laws — fined 205. one half 
remitted, the rest paid to the worshipful R. Vines. Capt. 
Cammock fined \s. for swearing one oath." 

The following declaration relates to a gentleman of 
whom much is said by the early historical writers.* 
"Richard Tucker cometh into this Court and declarethi 
that nine years since or thereabouts, there came one Sir 
Christopher Gardiner to the plaintiff in the name of the 
defendant, Thomas Purchase, and borrowed of him a 
warming pan, which cost here in this country 125. 6c?., 
which the defendant hath all this time and still doth 



*He i)d& iiiorc' ;ecenlly figured in a i^opuiar novel, 'Hope Leslie'y'i 
ns Sir Philip Gardiner. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 57 

wrongfully detain from the plaintiff. And also the said 
Sir Christopher did six months after or thereabouts, buy 
of the plaintiff a new fowling piece for 405. which he 
promised to pay within a month after, which money both 
for the warming pan and the piece the plaintiff hath often- 
times demanded of the defendant who doth still refuse to 
pay the same to the damage of the plaintiff at least 6/. 
sterling, for which the plaintiff commenceth his action of 
trespass on the case against the defendant in this court, 
and humbly desireth a legal hearing according to law. 
T. Purchase denies ever authorizing Sir C. Gardiner to 
buy any warming pan or fowling piece for him, he. Ver- 
dict for the plaintiff, 2/. 12^. 66?. for the two articles. 
2d. damages. 12^. 6d. costs of court." 

Sir Christopher came to New England 1630, and re- 
mained about two years, attended, it is said, by a young 
woman, his cousin, and several servants. He had travel- 
led in the Holy Land, and received the honor of knight- 
hood at Jerusalem. On his appearance at Boston, he was 
suspected by the Massachusetts government of having 
designs upon their patent, especially after a packet of 
letters came addressed to him from Sir F. Gorges, which 
being forwarded from Pascataqua by Capt. Neal under 
cover to Gov. Winthrop, were somewhat unceremonious- 
ly opened by the council of that colony.* "By these 
letters it appeared," observes Winthrop, "that Sir F. Gor- 
ges (who claims a great part of Massachusetts Bay) had 
some secret design to recover his pretended right, and 
that he reposed much trust in Sir Christopher Gardiner." 
The cry of popery was soon after raised against the poor 
knight, confirmed by his alleged descent from Stephen 
Gardiner, the bloody bishop of Winchester of the reign 
of Queen Mary ; vague charges of an immoral nature 
were also brought against him, but not substantiated. Af- 
ter suffering much abusive treatment in Massachusetts, he 
at length returned to England, where he co-operated with 



*Soine little dislike of this proceeding' is indicated in a subsequent 
notice taken of it by 'iov. Winthrop, according to the editor ; but it 
probably occurred through his influence, if afterward regretted, 
"Winthrop's Journal. I. 57. and note. 

6 



58 HISTORY OF SACO 

Gorges and Mason in their plans relating to N. England.* 
The records of the courts between 1641-4, inclusive, 
are not preserved. Gov. Gorges sailed for England in 
1 643, leaving Mr. Vines at the head of the government. 
In 1645, the General Court sat at Saco, when were pres- 
ent R. Vines, R. Bonython and H. Jocelyn, Esqrs. and 
Mr.F. Robi!isou, Mr. A. Mackworth, Mr.E.Sniall and Mr. 
Abraham Preble, Magistrates. The following order was .[ 
passed : "The General Court not having heard from Sir 
F. Gorges, appoint R. Vines Deputy Governor of the 
Province for one year, and if be depart within the year, H. "' 
Jocelyn in his place." The civil war was at this time 
raging in England, and Sir Ferdinando, although advan- 
ced in years, took up arms in defence of his royal master. 
He was in the army of Prince Rupert at the siege of 
Bristol 1 643, and when that city was re-taken by the par- 
liamentary forces in 1645, he was plundered and thrown 
into prison. It is not strange, therefore, that during this pe- 
riod Gorges paid no attention to the affairs of the province. 
The following order of the court 1645, shows that his 
fortunes were regarded as desperate : 'It is ordered that 
R. Vines shall have power to take into his possession all 
the goods and chattels of Sir F. Gorges, and to pay such 
debts as Sir Ferdinando is in any way indebted to any.' 
At the same time 'a publique fast was ordered to be sol- 
emnly kept upon Thursday, 20 November next, through 
this province.' 

In the meantime, the controversy respecting Lygonia 
arose. Alex. Rigby, proprietor of the plough patent, was 
a member of the celebrated Long Parliament, and strong- 
ly attached to both the political and religious opinions of 
the republican or revolutionary party in England. Hav- 
ing purchased the patent in 1643, he appointed George 
Cleaves, then in England, his agent, and deputy governor 
of the new province, to which he gave the name of Ly- 
gonia, embracing the towns or plantations of Casco, Black- 

*For a particular account of him, see N E Memorial — Davis's edi- 
tion l(i3 Judge Davis remarlis : "Nothing criminal was proved a- 
gainst him, and the harsh treatment he received seems not only ir- 
regular but imprudent." 



AND BIDDEFORD. 69 

point, Blue-point, Saco, and Cape Porpoise. Cleaves 
had gone thither for the purpose of preferring complaints 
to Parliament against the government of Maine. The 
petition which he presented, was signed with the names 
of several planters without their consent, if we may trust 
the affidavits of IMackworth, Watts, Alger (Aithur), Ha- 
mans, West, Wadleigh, Weare, Wilkinson, and Smith, in 
which they say, 'they did not authorize Cleaves's charges 
exhibited in Parliament against Mr. Vines, nor knew of 
them until said Cleaves came last out of England, nor do 
they testify to any such charges against Mr. Vines.' Rob- 
inson certifies the same, and adds : 'I do moreover testify 
that Mr. Thomas Jenner, minister of God's word, told 
me he asked Mr. Cleaves why he put men's hands to a 
petition they never saw : his answer was, 'the Parliament 
bid him.' The result, however, was a commission from 
Parliament, dated April 28, 1643, to Gov. Winthrop of 
Mass. Bay, Mr. A. Mackworth of Casco, and others, to 
examine into the truth of the articles alleged against Mr. 
Vines. 

Cleaves arrived at Boston in March, 1644, with his 
commission of deputy governor,and applied to the General 
Court of that colony for assistance in establishing the 
claims of Mr. Rigby. They declined interfering, ex- 
cept to recommend to Gov. Winthrop to write in his own 
name to the officers of Gorges' government, advising an 
acknowledgement of Rigby's authority.* On reaching 
Casco, Cleaves distributed commissions, and summoned 
a court at that place in the nanie of the 'Lord Proprie- 
tor and President of the Province of Lygonia.' The 
counsellors of Maine forthwith called a general court at 
Saco, and protested against these proceedings. The 
plough patent, they insisted, was effectually revoked by 
the royal charter of 1640, which conveyed, without re- 
serve, the territory and jurisdiction of the whole province 
to Sir Ferdinando Gorges, thereby disannulling all former 
grants, at least so far as related to the exercise of the 
powers of government. The inhabitants were divided 

*Winthrop. ii. 154. 



60 HISTORY OP SACO 

on the question, but we have reason to suppose that thej 
claims of Gorges were generally favored. Cleaves at 
last proposed to refer the subject to the decision of the 
Mass. Colony, well knowing to which side they would 
lean, when the dispute was between a republican dissenter 
or puritan, and a zealous royalist. R. Tucker was the 
bearer of this proposition to the council at Saco, by whom 
he was treated as a disturber of the peace, and arrested ; 
but on giving bonds to appear at the next court at this 
place, and for his good behaviour in the interim, he was 
set at liberty. 

Cleaves next presented a petition signed by about thirty 
persons, to the Mass. Gen. Court, soliciting their aid to 
maintain the authority of Rigby. Mr. Vines, with a let- 
ter from an equal number of the inhabitants, went him- 
self to Boston to obtain support. But that wary govern- 
ment, ever watchful of its own interests, had ah-eady con- 
ceived the idea of pushing its own limits into the heart of 
Maine, and resolved not to interfere. The dispute was 
then referred to the commissioners for foreign plantations^ 
in England. While it was pending there, the court of 
assistants at Boston consented to grant the parties a hear- 
ing, that an end might be put to the contention until the 
final decision was received from the commissioners. 
Messrs. Jocelyn and Robinson, on the part of Gorges, and 
Messrs. Cleaves and Tucker, on the other side, repaired 
thither ; but no other result was produced tlian a recom- 
mendation to both parties to live peaceably until they 
heard from England. This was in 1646 ; the same year, 
the decision of the commissioners was declared in favor 
of the claims of Mr. Rigby. 

Thus terminated the Jurisdiction of Gorges over the 
towns included in the province of Lygonia. The last 
general court under his authority of which we find a re- 
cord, was holden at Wells, July 1646, by H. Jocelyn, 
Deputy Governor, Capt. R. Bonython, and E. Godfrey. 
At length, in 1640, the inhabitants of Pascataqua, Gor- 
geana, and Wells, having received intelligence of the 
death of the lord proprietor, and in vain written to his 
heirs to ascertain their wishes, formed a Combination for 
the exercise of the powers of government according to 'the 



15rD BIDDEFORD. ^1 

kws of their native country.'* Mr. Godfrey was chosen 
governor, the style Province of Maine being still retain- 
ed. This state of things continued until 1652-3, when 
the towns were annexed to Massachusetts. 

In the meantime the government of Lygonia was regu- 
larly organized, and the inhabitants within its limits, even 
those who had been the most active adherents of Gor- 
ges, quietly submitted to the new jurisdiction. A mere 
fragment of the records of the General Assembly of this 
Province has been found, on diligent inquiry, enough to 
show, however, that its proceedings were conducted with 
great regularity. It is in the following form : "Petition 
of Robert Jordan to Alexander Rigby, President, George 
Cleaves, Deputy President, together with the whole body 
of the General Assembly of Lygonia, assembled this 22 
day of September, 1648," &c. "Sept. 24, 1648. This 
petition is granted by this Assembly and referred to a 
committee of this House, viz. to Mr. George Cleaves,Mr. 
William Royall, Mr. Richard Foxwell,Mr. Henry Watts, 
to be set on the 10 October next at Richmond's Island, 
to make report of the state of things petitioned for to this 
Court at the next Sessions ; under the hand of the Clerk 
of the Assembly, Peyton Cooke." The decree of the 
court founded on the report of its committee, made in 
December following, was adjudged legal by the Mass. au- 
thorities at a subsequent period. 

In addition to the above, we find appended to an ad- 
ministration of P. Cooke on the estate of R. Williams 
the following approval, executed 'at a court holden at 
Black-point the last of May, 1648 : We, the Judges for 
the Province of Lygonia, do by our authority ratify and 
confirm unto the said P. Cooke this abovesaid administra- 
tion according to the full tenor thereof. Witness our 
hands under our Provincial Seal at the day and year a- 
bovewritten. (Slgned)G. Cleaves, H.Jocelyn, R. Jor-dan.' 

Alex. Rigby died August 1650, and was succeeded as 
proprietor of Lygonia by his son, Edward Rigby. A let- 

*This Combination is printed 1 Mass. Hist Coll. I. 103. and in 
Judge Freeman's 'Extracts from the Journal of Rev. T. Smith.' Ap- 
I pendix. 56. 

! 6^ 



02 HISTORV OF SACO 

ler is on record addressed by the latter to Jocelyn, Jor-? 
dan, IMackworth, Williams, as also to Robert Booth, and 
others, who held commissions under his father, in which 
lie states that he has been 'made acquainted by the late 
deputy president, with several miscarriages and illegal pro- 
ceedings committed in his province by their instigation 
and advice' ; and he requires and commands them to de- 
sist from acting by virtue of their commissions, determin- 
ed by the death of his father, until they hear further from 
him. He moreover declares void "all the actions done 
either by the deputy-president, the six assistants, the 
judges, or any other officer whatever who had commission 
form his father, since his death." "I am not ignorant," 
he says, "of some complaints formerly made to my father 
by some of yourselves and others and desire that you will 
be confident, that I shall strive to do equal justice in all 
things, according to my office and duty ; and to the 
end that equal justice may be done to all men, 1 shall 
with all convenient speed, not only send back Mr. Cleeve, 
but a near kinsman of my own, with instructions to such 
as I shall conceive fitting." The letter is dated at Lon- 
don, 19 July, 1652.* There is no evidence that the pro- 
posed measures were taken by Edward Rigby. The 
government of Lygonia was at an end, and no efforts ap- 
pear to have been made for its restoration at any future 
period. The heirs did, indeed, endeavor in 17J0, to re- 
vive their title to the soil, but without success. f 

The town records of Saco now existing, commence after 
the dissolution of the government of Lygonia ; we are thus 
deprived of the means of knowing what part was taken 
by the inhabitants in general, in relation to the affairs of 
that province. It is probable that Cleaves found (ew sup- 
porters here, at least until after the removal of Mr. Vines 
from the country, which took place before the termination 
of the controversy. When the authority of Rigby was 



*A copy is printed in Sullivan's Hist. 317. and Hazard's Coll. I. 
570. The latter mistakes Lygonia for Laconia. We do not per- 
ceive that the conduct of Cleaves was impeached by Rigby, or that 
the heir was unable to manage his own concerns, as stafed bv Sulli- 
Van. 31t>. tSullivan. 319. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 63 

at length established, the opposition existed only in com- 
plaints against the procedures of his agent, which were 
forwarded to the President in England. What were the 
particular causes of dissatisfaction, we are not informed. 
Among the inhabitants who held commissions under this 
government, T. Williams and R. Booth are named in the 
address of E. Rigby's letter ; the former is placed in a 
superior class apparently, who were perhaps Assistants or 
Counsellors. Mr. Booth was doubtless one ol the magis- 
trates. Mr. Righy had wisely associated in his govern- 
ment some of the most ardent friends of Gorges. 

We have thus endeavored to trace briefly the history 
of the early jurisdic tions of Gorges and Rigby in this 
quarter. They were both of short duration. While jus- 
tice and gratitune seem to have pleaded in behalf of the 
former, by whom the energies of a long and active life 
had been devoted to scliemes for the settlement of this 
part of New England, it must be acknowledged that the 
title of the latter to the territory he claimed, was strictly 
well founded. 

The true source of the grounds of dispute is found in 
the contradictory grants of the Council of Plymouth, 
which vested the powers of government, as well as a right 
to the soil, in both proprietors. A conilict was thus ren- 
dered inevitable. The smaller patents, on the other 
hand, conveyed simply a title to the lands, of which pos- 
session had been regularly taken at an early date. No 
attempt was made to subvert them, and the controversies 
of the provincial patentees only affected the proprietors 
of tliem, as subjects of a political jurisdiction. 



64 HISTORY OF SACO 



CHAPTER V. 

Little is known respecting those members of the Gor- 
ges family who are so intimately connected with the early 
affairs of New England, more than appears in the general 
history of their exertions at that period. Lord Edward 
Gorges of Wiltshire, was President of the Council of Ply- 
month : his name occurs in most of the instruments ex- 
ecuted by that body. Sir Ferdinando was born about 
1575. He is styled of Ashton Phillips, in the county of 
Somerset, by Mr. Jocelyn ; this was probably the name 
of a family seat, as there is no town so called. The gen- 
ealogy of the family is traced to the year 1350, when 
Theobald Russ(;ll, of the noble house of that name in 
England, married Eleanor de Gorges, and contrary to the 
custom of modern times assumed the patronymick of his 
lady.* The first notice that history affords us of Sir 
Ferdinando, is in connection with the discovery of the 
treasonable enterprise of the Earl of Essex, near the 
close of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, which cost that 
nobleman his life. Information of this affair having reach- 
ed our knight, he communicated it, as was supposed, ta 
his friend Sir Walter Raleigh, by whom it was made 
known to government. f During the war with Spain, in 
the last years of Elizabeth, Sir Ferdinando served in the 
navy, and after peace took place 1604, he was appointed 
governor of Plymouth in Devonshire. The apparently 
trivial circumstance of his seeing four or five natives of 
our coast, who were carried to England by Capt. Wey- 
mouth, occurred the following year, and gave a colour to 
the events of his whole life. His attention was recalled 
from America in his old age only by the adversities of his 
royal friend and patron, Charles I. In 1624, when a 
jealousy of the powers granted to the Council of Ply- 
mouth prevailed in England, Sir Ferdinando was sum- 



*MS. Genealogy of the Russells, in the possession of Rev. Dr. 
W. Jenks. The namobe^an to be written Georges towards the close 
of the xvii century ; a change in the pronunciation taking place, pro- 
bably, at the same time. tHume. Hist, of £ng. chap. 44. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 05 

moned to the bar of the house of Commons, where the 
speaker, Sir Edward Coke, informed him that the patent 
of the Council was complained of as a grievance, and re- 
j quired it to be delivered to the house. Gor2;es replied 
jthat he was but one of the company, and that he had no 
power to deliver it without their consent. He then went 
into a full vindication of the patent, and of the measures 
! pursued by the Council, and pointed out the vast impor- 
tance of this country to England, 'which could not long 
remain unpossessed', he said 'either by the French, Span- 
liards, or Dutch, so that if the plantations were to be given 
up, the honor as well as the interest of the nation, must 
greatly suffer.' A committee was then appointed by the 
house to examine the patent and make objections, to be 
delivered to Gorges. These he fully answered, with the 
assistance of the celebrated Lord Finch, and Mr. Cal- 
trap, as legal counsel. The Parliament, however, in its 
zeal to reform abuses of the royal prerogative, placed the 
igrant to the Council of Plymouth on the list of grievances 
presented to the King. Althougli James did not see fit 
to recal it, the Council of their own accord suspended 
oj)erations for a time. 

The death of Sir Ferdinando is supposed to have oc- 
curred about the year 1647, when the civil war was at its 
height. It is almost unnecessary to add, that he never 
visited New England. He was succeeded in his tide and 
estates by his oldest son, named John, a man of little en- 
ergy, who did not survive his father many years. Sir 
John left a son Ferdinando, who inherited the title, and 
soon after began to interest himself in the affairs of Maine. 
He published a history of the plantations undertaken in 
N. England, mostly derived from the papers of his grand- 
I father, in 1658. 

' Thomas Gorges, Deputy Governor, and Mayor of 
Gorgeana, was styled in the commission from Sir Ferdi- 
nando his 'well beloved cousin,' or kinsman. He was 
probably the son of a younger brother of Sir Ferdinando. 
He received from the lord proprietor, 1641, a grant of 
5000 acres of land in any part of the Province at his 
election, not interfering with prior grants, to constitute a 
Barony, 'with full power to divide the same into manors 

I 



66 HISTORY OF SACO 

and lordships, and to hold court barons and court leets 
within said Lordship.' Thomas chose a tract in Wells, 
near the small river Ogarnus: or Ogunquit, where he sold 
a parcel to the Rev. John Wheelwright in 1643. Henry, 
a brother of Thomas Gorges, brought actions of eject- 
ment at the court of 1686, for lands contained in this 
grant, and succeeded in some of them. 

Capt. Francis Champernoon, one of the council in the 
government of Gorges 1640, is styled his 'loving nephew' 
in the commission. He resided at Kittery, where he died 
1687. Two of his daughters married in the Cutts fami- 
ly. A third married Humphry Eliot, whose son, Cham- 
pernoon Eliot, was the principal heir of Capt. Champer- 
noon, inheriting 'all his lands in old and New England.' 

We have already stated, that Mr. John Oldham, the 
associate patentee of Mr. Vines, was not among the set- 
tlers at Winter Harbor. A brief notice of him is never- 
theless due, from the agency which he probably had in 
procuring the patent. Mr. Oldham came to New Eng- 
land 1623, with a family of ten persons, and joined the 
colony of New Plymouth. The next year he became 
involved, together with the Rev. John Lyford, in a seri- i 
ous difference with the leading individuals of that colony, ! 
and received sentence of banishment. Returning thither 
in the spring of 1625, he was again expelled, and com- 
pelled to take refuge with his family at Nantasket, where 
he was joined by Mr. Lyford, IVlr. Roger Conant, and 
some others, with their families, from New Plymouth. 
The cause of this secession from the colony seems to have 
been a dislike of the peculiarly rigid principles of the 
greater part of the pilgrims. Soon after a company in 
England, intending to establish a plantation at Cape Ann, 
appointed these gentlemen to superintend it. Mr. Conant,', 
who commenced the settlement of Salem soon after, had 
the care of the planting and fishing ; Mr. Oldham was to i 
conduct the trade ; and Rev. Mr. Lyford to be their min- 
ister.* In 162H, Mr. Oldham went to England, when he | 
appears to have regained the good opinion of the old col- 

*N. E. Memorial. 117-8. note. 



AND BIDDEFORD. GT 

ony, who committed to his charge a prisoner of some con- 
sequence. It is uncertain in what year he returned. 
While in England, he was chiefly occupied with a grant 
made to him by Robert Gorges on Charles river. The 
Mass. Colonists complained much of his pertinacity in de- 
fending his right and title, notwithstanding their patent em- 
braced the tract in question.* Terms of agreement were 
proposed to him, which i)e at first rejected ; but as we 
next find him living quietly under their jurisdiction with- 
in the limits of his grant, at VVatertown, in 1632, some 
compron)ise probably had been made. In that year, a 
contmittee composed of two persons from each of the 
eight towns then forming the colony of Mass. bay, was 
chosen by the people to confer with the Governor and as- 
sistants on the subject of raising a public fund ; when Mr. 
O. and one other represented that town.f This body was 
the germ of the General Court established two years af- 
ter on the same basis of representation. We next find 
Mr. Oldham with three others travelling from Dorchester 
to Connecticut, through the wilderness, to view the country 
and trade with the Indians. The result of this journey, 
performed in 1633, was the first settlement of the Eng- 
lish in Connecticut, the favorable accounts of the travel- 
I lers on their return inducing a number of planters to go 
I thither. { At the first Gen. Court holden May 14, 1634, 
i Mr. Oldham was one of the two representatives of Water- 
I town. His adventurous and enterprising spirit at length 
; brought him to a tragical end. In the summer of 1636, 
while on a trading voyage to the coast of Connecticut, he 
was barbarously murdered by some of the Pequod In- 
dians, who attacked him in his pinnace near Block Island. 
This was the second instance of murder committed by 
those Indians, and was followed by a war of extermina- 
tion which put a period to the existence of that tribe. 

The foregoing pages have narrated the principal events 
of a public nature, in which Richard Vines, the foun- 
der of our towns, bore a part. Whatever we have been 

tSee a letter to Gov. Endicott. Hazard's Coll. 1.256, 
tPrince, I. 60. tDr. Harris. Hist, of Dorchester. Hist. Coll xi. 
A tradinghouse had been before set up on the Connecticut by the 
New Plymouth people, but without making a regular settlement. 



68 HISTORY OF SACO 

able to collect relating to his private history, will be now 
presented to the reader. The following account derived 
from the journal of Gov. Winthrop, furnishes us with some 
knowledge of the extent of his transactions in the way of 
trade. About the year 1642, two rival French establish- 
ments existed at Penobscot and near the mouth of the 
St. John. At the head of the former was Monsieur D'- 
Aulnay, and of the latter, De la Tour. So far did these 
adventurers carry their feuds, that they engaged in open 
liostilities against each other. The assistance of the 
Massachusetts Colonies was sought by both, to enable them 
to carry on their vindictive operations. La Tour came to 
Boston for this purpose in 1643, but before the object oft 
his visit could be attended to, he was required to answer 
for killing two Englishmen at Machias, and taking away 
their goods to the amount of 500/. Mr. Vines was part ( 
owner of the alleged goods, and happening to be in Bos- 
ton at this time, he was requested to appear with La Tour 
before the Governor and assistants, that the charge might 
be duly investigated. The facts were as follows. Mr. 
Vines being on a trading voyage to the eastward, fell in 
with La Tour, and sold him goods to the value of 400 
beaver skins. At the same time, the French officer infor- 
med him that he had a commission from his government i 
to make prize of all who traded in that quarter, and warn- 
ed him to forbear in future, but gave him liberty to trade 
while on his return, provided he erected no tradinghouse ' 
or fort on the coast. Mr. Vines, however, landed h>s 
goods at Machias afterwards, and set up a wigwam or 
camp, in which he left five men provided with firearms, 
and a small vessel, and returned home. Two days after, 
La Tour cast anchor before this place, when one of Vines's 
men went on board his vessel to make the necessary ex- 
planations. In the meantime, some of the French crew 
landed, and as they were going towards the wigwam, ap- 
parently with hostile intent, one of the men left there at- 
tempted to discharge a gun. The Frenchmen immediate- 
ly fired on them, and killed two of their number. La 
Tour afterwards made prisoners of the others and seized 
the goods, and sent them to a French port. The men 
were there discharged, but the goods were adjudged to 



AND BIDDEFORD. 09 

be lawful prize. Mr. Vines maintained that he did not 
exceed the liberty given him by La Tour, having merely 
set up a temporary shelter for his goods, which he showed 
to be of the value of 400/. La Tour, finding that the 
facts were against him, and wishing to quiet the minds of 
his judges, promised to have the circumstances investi- 
gated at a future time, and to make satisfaction, if it ap- 
peared that he had done wrong. Pacified by these 
promises, the governor permitted him to enlist ships and 
men in his service to act against his rival at Penobscot. 

The following year Mr. Vines in company with Capt, 
Warnerton of Pascataqua, and Mr. Short of Pemaquid, 
made a visit to St. John for the purpose of collecting 
their debts. On their way, they put in at Penobscot, 
where they were detained several days by D'Aulnay. 
When liberated, they proceeded to St. John, and were 
hospitably received by La Tour. At this time an expe- 
dition was fitted out by him against Penobscot, in which 
a number of Englishmen embarked, who happened to be 
at St. John ; among others, Capt. Warnerton. The en- 
terprise was unsuccessful, and cost Warnerton his life.* 

A visit of Mr. Vines to the White Mountains, descri- 
bed by Winthrop, is worthy of notice. It was performed 
in the month of August, 1642, by him in company with 
Thomas Gorges, the deputy-s:;overnor. Darby Field, 
who was living at Exeter 1639, has the credit of being 
the first traveller to these mouniains. His journey also is 
described by Winthrop, who says it was performed in the 
year 1642. He appears to have returned by the way of 
Saco. "The report he brought," says Winthrop, "of shi- 
ning stones, he. caused divers others to travel thither, but 
they found nothing worth their pains. Mr. Gorges and 
Mr. Vines, two of the magistrates of Sir F. Gorges' pro- 
vince, went thither about the end of this mouth," (Au- 
gust.) They set out, probably, a few days after the re- 
turn of Field, dazzled by visions of diamonds and other 
precious minerals, with which the fancy of this man had 



*Th^. dissensions of La Tour and D'Aulnay have been made the sub- 
ject of an agreeable tale, called "the Rivals of Acadia," printed at 
Boston lc27. 

7 



70f HISTOliY OF SACO 

garnished his story. "They went up Saco river in birch 
canoes, and that way they found it 90 miles to Pegvvag- 
get, an Indian town, but by land it is but 60. Upon 
Saco river they found many thousand acres of rich mea- 
dow, but there are ten falls which hinder boats, he. 
From the Indian town they went up hill (for the most 
part) about 30 miles in woody lands, then they went a- 
bout 7 or 8 miles upon shattered rocks, without tree or 
grass, very steep all the way. At the top is a plain about 
3 or 4 miles over, all shattered stones, and upon that is 
another rock or spire about a mile in height, and about 
an acre of ground at the top. At the top of the plain 
arise fotir great rivers, each of them so much water at the 
first issue as would drive a mill : Connecticut river from 
two heads at the north west and south west, which join 
in one about 60 miles off; Saco river on the south east ; 
Amascoggin, which runs into Casco bay, at the north 
east ; and the Kennebeck at the north by east. The 
mountain runs east and west 30 or 40 miles, but the peak 
is above all the rest. They went and returned in 15 
days."* This description of the mountains was probably 
communicated by Mr. Vines to Gov. Winthrop. It con-* 
veys a very accurate idea of them, as they now strike the 
traveller. 

Mr. Vines removed to Barbadoes, W. I. about the close 
of the year 1645. From some expressions contained ifi j 
the subjoined letters addressed by him to Gov. Winthrop 
after his departure, it may be inferred thr.t he had be- 
come embarrassed in his private affairs. This circum-'i 
stance, together with the prospect of being subjected to 
the authority of his political, and perhaps, personal ene- 
my, Cleaves, probably induced him to remove. Great 
numbers of English planters flocked to the island of Bar- 
badoes at that period, which was first settled only twenty 
years before, and yet, in 1650, contained a population of 
more than twenty thousand whites, and a much greater 
number of blacks and Indian slaves. The inhabitants 
were chiefly royalists, many of whom left England on ac- 
count of the predominance of the republican party. f 



** Journal ii. 89. tMod. Univ. Hist. xli. 137. 



and biddeford. 71 

Letters from R. Vines to Gov. John Winthrop. 

-."Right Worshipful and ever honoured Sir— I undertake 
not to give you a relation of this island, presuming you 
know more thereof than I can express. But my real re- 
spects to your worthiness enjoin ine to salute you with a 
line or two, not only to show my gratefulness for former 
favors, but still desiring to keep correspondency with you, 
who have always respected me beyond my deserts. I 
shall be joyful you had any service here to command me, 
to make good my poor expressions in real actions. This 
gentleman, JMr. John Mainford, Mer. is coming to your 
port to trade for provisions for the belly, which at present 
are very scarce by reason of 5 or 6 months dearth, and 
not that only, but men are so intent upon planting sugar 
that they had rather buy food at very dear rates than pro- 
duce it by labor, so infinite is the profit of sugar works 
when once accomplished. 1 have by God's assistance 
settled myself in two plantations adjoining, containing 50 
acres, which 1 hope after six months will maintaiin me and 
mine comfortably, besides my practice of physic which 
is worth at least 10,000 lbs. tobacco, per annum. Yet 
it is hard with me by reason of my great payments for 
my plantation and negroes and other necessary disburse- 
ments already paid to the value of 40,000 lbs. tobacco, 
which keeps me bare at present ; I doubt not but the 
next crop proving well, to be better able to live than 1 have 
been many years. Mr. Parker* with his wife and fami- 
ly is well seated in a good plantation of 20 acres, besides 
a good stipend and many good gifts, well approved of in 
his function, opposed by none unless by Antinomians and 
such like. I bless God my family continue in good 
health, all liking the Island well, notwithstanding the 
change of diet, which at present is yet but slender, yet 
far from want. I fear not but within 6 months to live as 
plentifully as any man upon this island, according to my 
proportion. 1 have at present 16 acres of corn planted 
at thi^ least, as much (more) corn for my provisions be- 



*Rev. James Parker, second minister of Portsmouth, N. H. wherfi 
he was settled 1643, A(la50s' Aanals of Portsmouth. 



72 HISTORY OF SACO 

sides tobacco. The next year I intend for sugar, at pre- 
sent I cannot. Thus ceasing further to trouble you save 
with my respective service to yourself, your virtuous wife, 
with your sons and daughters, and to the Rev. divines 
Mr. Cotton and Mr. Wilson, to my worthy friends Major 
Gibbons and Mr. Hill, leaving you all to Israel's protec- 
tor — resting Your Assured friend and servant, 

RICHARD VINES. 
Barbadoes, 19 July, 1647." 

R. Vines to Governor Winthrop. 

"Barbadoes 29 April, 1648. 
Right Worshipful and my ever honored friend, — Your 
kind letter of the 24 August I received, which was most 
welcome to me, esteeming it a high favor that you will 
vouchsafe to keep correspondence with so undeserving a 
friend. I perceive by your letter that the Lord did shake 
his rod over N. England ; it was his great mercy only to 
put you in remembrance.* We have felt his heavy hand in 
wrath, and yet I fear, are not sensible of it, for here is lit- 
tle amendment or notice taken of his great punishments. 
The sickness was an absolute plague ; very infectious and 
destroying, in so much that in our parish there were buried 
20 in a week and many weeks together 15 or 16. It first 
seized on the ablest men both for account and ability of 
body. Many who had begun and almost finished great 
sugar works, who dandled themselves in their hopes, but 
were suddenly laid in the dust and their estates left unto 
strangers. Our N. England men here had their share, 
and so had all nations especially Dutchmen, of whom 
died a great company even of the wisest of them. The 
contagion is well nigh over, the Lord make us truly thank- 
ful for it and ever mindful of his mercy. I saw your son 
here, he made but little stay but went for Christopher's 
with his cargo ; he is a very hopeful gentleman. If the 
Lord please to send him here again or any other of your 



*An epidemic which appears to have been the influenza, prevailed 
throughout the American settlements in 1647, and proved very fatal. 
It extended to the VV. Indies. Hubbard. 532. The recurrence of 
this disease at later periods, is noticed by Hutchinsoiij Hist. i. 141. 



A'ND ETBDEFORD. 



13 



sons, 1 shall be ready to serve them in what I may. I 
hear the Lord hath gi-aciously recompensed your incom- 
parable loss with another most virtuous and loving wife : 
many and happy be your days together. Sir, 1 shall take 
it as a great blessing from God to give me a good occa- 
sion to serve you or any of your children, here or else- 
where, that 1 might exercise my thankful remembrances 
for all your courtesies. No more at present but my hum- 
ble service to yourself and virtuous wife and to all your 
sons and daughters, committing you all to the protec- 
tion of almighty God. Ever resting your assured loving 
friend and serv'ant, RICHARD VINES. 

I pray. Sir, be pleased to present my best service to Mr. 
Dudley, IMr. Bellingham, IMr. Stebbins, aad the Rev. 
ministers ]\[r. Cotton and Mr. Wilson."* 

It is gratifying to perceive from the tenor of these in- 
teresting letters, that the personal worth and excellent 
character of our patentee were appreciated by Winthrop 
and other leading individuals of the Mass. Colony, not- 
withstanding his strong attachment to the interests of Gor- 
ges and of the royal ])arty. Mr. Vines was, besides, a 
staunch episcopalian, but, as w ill presently appear, he was 
not unwilling to listen to religious instruction from a non- 
conformist, although offended by his covert attack upon 
the rites and ceremonies of the English church. The 
last year of his abode among us, Mr. Vines held the of- 
fice of Governor by the election of the General Court. 
He had previously exercised the duties of that office be- 
fore the arrival and after the departure of Thomas Gor- 
ges, by virtue of his commission as Steward General of 
the Province. That his administration of affairs was ac- 
ceptable to the people in general^ may be fairly inferred 
from the strong disapprobation of the attempts made by 
Mr. Cleaves in England to injure the reputation of his 
government, expressed by many of the inhabitants. 

Mr. Vines sold his patent before leaving the coimtry to 
Dr. Robert Child. The following certificate of the 
transfer is annexed to the copy of the original instrument 



^Hutchinson's Coll. State Papers. 222. 

7* 



74 HISTORY Of SACO 

on record. "I, Richard Vines, of Saco, genileman, have 
bargained and sold the patent above specified unto Ro- 
bert Child, Esq. Doctor of Physick, and given him livery 
and seizin upon the 20th day of October 1645, in pre- 
sence of Mr. Adam Winthrop* and Mr. Benjamin Gil- 
man." 

Dr. Child came to New England not long before the 
date of this purchase. He first appears as a petitioner 
with others for a plantation at Nashavvay, now Lancaster, 
lAlass. in 1644, where a considerable tract had been ob- 
tained of the Indians, and a trading house set up the 
year before. f Dr. Child resided in Massachusetts dur- 
ing the short time he remained in this country, where he 
became so much involved in political disputes, that he 
gave little attention to his property at this place. A deed 
of 100 acres to R. Cumming, in exchange for a like 
quantity on the other patent, dated July 14, 1647, is the 
only one executed by him found on record. The follow- 
ing order is without date : "Mr. Doctor Child, Mr. Jo- 
seph Bowles hath 100 acres of land next unto Mr. Mack- 
worth's lot ; as yet he hath not a deed for It — I pray you 
confirm it. Yours, Richard Vines." He appears to 
have had in view the working of mines of the useful 
metals. For this purpose he brought over from Derby- 
shire William White, a miner, who made trial, according 
to his own account, of the York (iron) mines, but "the 
spirit of solidity and fusion was not in them." White 
complained that the Doctor and others concerned, failed 
to fulfil their contract with him. He had been "promis- 
ed 05. per day for himself and son, and two cows, and 
house rent free, and land for himself and all his children ;" 
but he acknowledges that 'the covenanters' had suffered 
greater loss than himself in the enterprise. J The York 
mines to which he refers, were perhaps in England, on 
the borders of Derbyshire, where he had been employed. 

The severe and arbitrary character of the Massachu- 
setts colonial laws at an early period of the history of 



*Son to the Governor of Mass. Journal, i. G8. note, tllistory of 
Lancaster, by J. Willard : published in the Worcester Magazine, ii. 
273. Winthrop. ii. 161. note. ^White's letter, dated July 24, 1648 
ii Mass. Hist. Coll. iv. 195. 



I 



AND BIDDEFORD, ^5 

that government, is well known. The inhabitants how- 
ever respectable, who did not fall in with the prevalent 
religious notions, were debarred from the exercise of 
many rights and privileges to which they were fully enti- 
tled as members of the civil community, according to the 
laws of England. In 1646, a number of individuals, 
*persons of figure,' as they are styled by Hutchinson, 
attempted to obtain a modification of the legislative 
code, by which it might be rendered more conformable 
to that enjoyed at home. For this purpose, tliey address- 
ed a petition to the General Court in behalf of them- 
selves and others, in which they complained of the de- 
nial of civil rights to such as were not members of 
churches, and of christian privileges to all who were not 
members of the particular churches in the country ; and 
prayed that civil liberty and freedom might be forthwith 
granted to all truly English, and that all members of the 
church of England or of Scotland of good standing might 
be admitted to the privileges of the churches of New 
England ; or if the enjoyment of those liberties were deni- 
ed, that they might be freed from the heavy load of taxes 
imposed on them. In case redress was refused, they 
were resolved to appeal to Parliament, "who, they hoped, 
would take their sad condition into consideration." The 
petition was signed by seven persons, at the head of whom 
was Dr. Child. "^ The style of it being bold, and not 
over respectful, it created great excitement throughout 
that colony, generally adverse to the petitioners. The 
magistrates or rulers were filled with indignation, and im- 
mediately caused them to be arrested for contempt of 
government. They gave bonds for their appearance at 
the next court, when they were severally sentenced to the 
payment of heavy fines. The Doctor, "in regard he 
had no cause of complaint, and yet was a leader to the 
rest, and had carried himself proudly in the court," was 
fined 50Z., ten more than any other. The court in pass- 
ing sentence, reminded them of the resemblance of the 
crime they had committed, to that of Korah and his troop, 

*Hutchinson's State Papers. 188. 



HISTORY OF SACO 



who were destroyed for rebelling against Moses and 
Aaron.* 

But the subject did not rest here. Dr. Child prepar- 
ed to embark for England, to lay the subject before Par- 
liaujent. This, however, he was prevented from doing 
by the interference of the magistrates, who caused him 
to be arrested the evening previous to his intended depar- 
ture. His trunks were at the same time seized and 
searched. Similar violence was used towards another 
gentleman who had signed the petition, in whose 'study' 
were found copies of letters, &lc. designed for England. 
Dr. Child was carried before the council, by whom he 
was told that provided his depoitment became more re- 
spectful towards the gentlemen of the court, "he should 
be treated in a manner suited to his quality ;" otherwise he 
was threatened with irons and imprisonment. The coun- 
cil then ordered the marshal to take him in custody, in 
whose keeping he remained until the ships had sailed, 
when he was permitted to continue a prisoner in his own 
house on giving bonds for his appearance at the next term 
of the Court of Assistants, lie appeared, but it was a- 
greed to refer his case to the cognizance of the General 
Court, and he was offered his liberty, restricted, however, 
to Boston, provided he would give security to appear be- 
fore that body. The Doctor chose to go to prison rather 
than comply with these terms, and was accordingly com- 
mitted. This was in March, 1647. f How soon he was 
set at liberty, does not appear, nor on what conditions ; but 
the next year we find him in England, where his exer- 
tions to effect the same object were also defeated. He 
a])pears not to have returned to this country. 

A full account of the proceedings in relation to this 
subject, was published in England after the return of Dr. 
Child, by his brother. Major Child of Kent, in which the 
conduct of the petitioners was vindicated. "There was 
a simultaneous struggle for toleration," says a late writer, 
"in the old colony, promoted by Mr. William Vassall."{ 



Winthrop. ii. 291. tibid. ii.'^34-301. JN. E. Memorial. Note by 



the Editor. 236. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 77 

I This attempt likewise failed. The want of success at- 
I tending the petitioners of both colonies, has been ascri- 
bed to the skilful management of Gov. Edward Winslow, 
of New Plymouth, who was then in England, and in 
i great esteem with many of the members of Parliament 
I and the principal persons in power. In reply to the 
! publication of Maj. Child, Mr. Winslow published a 
pamphlet entitled "New England's Salamander discover- 
ed," "pointing therein at Mr. Vassall," says Winihrop, "a 
man never at rest but when he was in the fire of conten- 
tion." 

Several members of the court of Assistants dissented 
from the harsh proceedings acainst Dr. Child and his fel- 
low petitioners. But Gov. Winihrop, who contended for 
the divine authority of magistrates, was active in their 
prosecution. Nevertheless a strong party was raised in 
their favor, and the following year the re-election of the 
governor met with serious opposition. 

Dr. Child studied medicine at the university of Padua, 
in Italy, where he received his medical diploma. This 
circumstance is alluded to in an answer to the remon- 
strance or petition, which was published with the sanc- 
tion of the Gen. Court, in the following terms : "The 
first (and he that must be a leader in this design) is a Pa- 
duan Doctor (as he is reputed) lately come into the coun- 
try, who hath not so much as tasted of their grievances, 
nor is like to do, being a bachelor, and only a sojourner, 
who never paid penny to any public charge, though (of 
his own good will) he hath done something for public 
use." Dr. Child appears to have been a gentleman 
of fortune ; he of course intended to reside in N. Eng- 
land, and in conjunction with the others, driven out of the 
country at the same time, would doubtless have proved a 
valuable acquisition. One only of the petitioners remain- 
ed in the colony, Mr. Maverick of Noddle's island, 'who 
had experience enough of the Mass. rulers,* says the can- 
did editor of Winthrop's Journal, 'to know that their in- 
tolerance sometimes yielded to interest.' Our own in- 
habitants had great reason to regret the want of success 
attending these exertions to introduce the principle of 
toleration into the civil code of the puritans ; since a pa- 



78 HISTORY OF SACO 

tentee so liberal and enterprising as Dr. Child, might 
justly have been expected lo promote the growth and 
prosperity of the infant settlement. 



CHAPTER VI. 



Our early settlers, as we have already stated, were not j 
like the other fathers of N. England, religious sectarians, 
flying from the intoleraiice of their native land. They 
were emigrants from motives of interest, brought hither 
by tne same impulse that even at the present day carries j 
men of an enterprising character to the very corners of 
the earth. Cherishing a strong attachment to the church 
in whose bosom they were reared, one of their first mea- 
sures was to provide for the support of a religious teacher 
among them from her comnumion. In other respects, too, 
they carefully conformed to the institutions and laws of 
the mother country, designed to regulate the moral and reli- 
gious character of the people. Prcfaneness, neglect of 
the sabbath, and immoralities of various kinds, were pun- 
ished by the same penalties that were inflicted in England, j 
In removing to so wide a distance, therefore, from the j 
jurisdiction under which they had lived, the colonists ■ 
brought with them the salutary restraints and venerated j 
observances that existed there. A community strictly j 
English in its character was thus established on our shores, j 
and continued so to exist until changed in its features by ' 
the extension of the power and the principles, both civil 
and religious, of the puritan colonies. ? 

The first clergyman who settled in the vicinity of Saco 
river, was the Rev. Richard Gibson. He is said to have 
come over at the desire of Mr. Trelawney, probably from 
his having resided at Spurwink near the establishnient 
of that gentleman, and having been partly supported 
by him. His name first occurs in the records of the I 
courts of 1G36, already quoted. It appears from a later 
record that he had 'corn growing at Saco' ; it is probable 



AND BIBDEFORD. 79 

enough that the English custom of paying tithes or a tenth 
part of the products, was practised, althougli a ^coniposi- 
tion' in money was paid by many of the planters. At the 
close of 1640, or early in the following year, Mr. Gibson 
removed to Portsmouth. Me is supposed to have been 
the first minister of that place. '^ While at Pascataqua, he 
was summoned to Boston to answer the chare;e of n)arry- 
ing and baptizing at the isles of Shoals. The laws of the 
Mass. colony forbade the practice of the clerical duties 
to any of the chmch of England. "He being wholly 
addicted to the hierarchy and discipline of England," 
says VVinthrop, "did exercise a ministerial function in the 
same way, and did marry and baptize at the Isle of Shoals, 
which was found within o«ir jurisdiction." Mr. Gibson, 
moreover, had written a letter to a minister at Dover, 
Mr. Lirkham, in which he spoke in no very respectful 
terms of the Mass. government, 'denying ^heir title in 
those parts, f and thereby disaffecting the people.' For 
these heinous offences, on presenting himself at Boston, 
he was committed to custody, in which he continued 
several days, till at length "he made a full acknowledge- 
ment of all he was charged with, and submitted himself 
to the favor of the court. Whereupon" (continues Win- 
throp) "in regard he was a stranger and was to depart 
the country in a few days, he was discharged without 
any fine or other punishment." So great lenity would not 
have been shown, it seems, had not Mr. Gibson design- 
ed to leave New England immediately. These circum- 
stances occurred 1642. 

The Rev. Robert Jordan arrived from the west of 
England, probably in the summer of 1640. He was ap- 
pointed in that year arbitrator in a dispute between 
Cleaves and Royal. Mr. Jordan married the daughter 
and only child of Mr. Winter, and on the decease of his 
father in law about 1648, he administered on liis estate. 
In the inventory of property in joint ownership between 
Trelawney and Winter, the articles of use in the church 
service are enumerated ; the communion vessels, cush- 

*Adain3' Annals of Portsmouth, tReferring without doubt to th« 
prior title of Robert Ganges. 



so HISTORY OF SACO 

ions, &;c. which had been furnished by Mr. Trelawnej. .; 
In the account exhibited by Mr. Jordan against the estate, 
we find the following items : "For his charge (of ihei 
plantation) one half year, 20L ; for his nainistry as by 
composition^ one half year, lOZ." Tlie plantation was; 
deeply in debt to Mr. Winter, and by a decree of the 
court of Lygonia, the whole property of the patent and 
the personal estate, and every thing belonging to the es- 
tablishment, was assigned to Mr. Jordan as his heir. 

These early clergymen probably divided their sabbath 
ministrations between the Spurwink and Casco settle-' 
ments, and Saco. We find 'the Church Point' mention- 
ed in the boundaries of an estate at Winter Harbor in 
1642 ; it is quite probable, therelore, that a small church 
was erected there. Mr. Jordan continued to reside at I 
Spurwink until the breaking out of the Indian war in ' 
1675, when he removed to Great Island, now Newcastle,, 
at the mouth of the Pascataqua, then a part of Ports- • 
mouth. He died at that place four years after at the age ; 
of 78 years, bequeathing an immense real estate to his i 
six sons, situated principally in the towns of Scarboro' 
and Cape Elizabeth. To his wife, whose name was; 
Sarah, the daughter of Mr. Winter, he gave the old plan- i 
tation at Spurwink, containing 1000 acres of land, andlj 
the Nonesuch farm in Scarboro' of 2000 acres ; the re->| 
version of the former, after her death, to his youngest son ij 
Jeremiah ; the latter to be disposed of by her to any ofl 
the children at her pleasure. To his sons Dominicus, 
Jedediah and Samuel, each 1000 acres at Spurwink..] 
To his oldest sons, Robert and John, he had before grant- 
ed estates ; to the former ''a tract of land commonly call- 
ed Cape Elizabeth," making a reservation in favor of Johnii 
of Richmond's Island, "of ingress and regress to Alewife's 
pond for bail." John's deed conveyed to him Rich- 
mond's island together with 'the houses, stages, and build- 
ings thereupon,' and 300 acres of land lying next adjoin-^-j 
ing the marsh. The island contains about 300 acres, ' 
and is now the property of one of the numerous descen- 
dants O^ R/>l>«!t JmH <r * 

''The name of Jordan was early introduced into the Virginia cole- 



AND BIDDEFORD. 81 

The Rev. Thomas Jenner, a non-conformist minister, 
was preaching here in 1 641 . The following letter is found 
in the valuable collection of original papers published by 
Governor Hutchinson 1769. 

Letter from Thomas Jenner to Gov. Winthrop. 
Worthy Sir, — Your pious and good letter 1 received ; 
for which I humbly thank you. Your judicious counsel 
therein 1 lovingly embrace, as concurring fully with mine 
owne judgment ; hence have I not troubled the people at 
all with church discipline, or constitutions of churches, &z;c. 
but have bent my whole studdies to shew them their mis- 
erable and lost estate without Christ &lc. nor have I en- 
veyed (inveighed) in the least measure against the church 
of England (to my remembrance,) but have been (and 
still am) very fearfull to give one word of distast about 
those things, but altogether do seek to gaine them to 
Christ. True I do acknowledge that after I had been 
here for the space of a month or six weeks and perceiv- 
ing them very superstitious (performing man's invention 
rather than the instituted worship of God) now that I 
might gaine their good esteeme of God's pure ordinances, 
and make them see the evil and folly of their supersti- 
tion and will-worship, I made choice of Ps. 19 and 7 to 
handle it at large ; and in one of the uses of reproof I 
bent myself as strongly as I could against the religion of 
the Papists, and condemned those practices which I saw 
people here were superstitiously addicted to, in that use 
against the Papists ; whose religion i showed, at large, 
consisted either of new instructed worship not men- 
tioned in the law of God, or of God's instituted worship 
miserably abused, either by their additions or diminutions : 
and showed the particulars wherein. Now, (I heartily 
thank God for it) it took a generall good impression, ex- 



ny, and still exists to some extent in the parts of that state first set- 
tled. Mr Samuel Jordan is mentioned by Smith (Hist, of Virginia 
ii. 76) as 'fortifying and living in despite of the enemy' (the natives) 
after the dreadful massacre in that colony 1622. Thomas Jorden, ad- 
mitted freeman at Boston 1647, settled in Guilford, Conn. Francis 
and Stephen were at Ipswich 1634-48. The latter died at New- 
bury 1670. Farmer's Genealogical Register. 
8 



S2 HISTORY OF SACO 

cept Mr. Vines and one more who told me I struck at the : 
Church of England, though I mentioned her not. Where- 
upon he pressed me to dispute with him about one part, , 
of baptizing infants with godfathers and godmothers ; the ; 
which I was very loth to dispute about ; yet I saw that \ 
either I must, or else sit down with shame, for he had 1 
called together his whole family to hear it. Now it pleas- 
ed God so to strengthen me (through the riches of his: 
mercy) that he was utterly silent ; and since that time: 
hath manifested more respect and love to me and my 
master than formerly, and doth take notes of the sermons 
dayly and repeateth them in his family very orderly as 1 1 
am informed. Thus, Sweet Sir, 1 make very bold to 
coiifirme your worship with the truth of things, though not 
worth the writing. 1 have been solicited both from the 
inhabitants of Straten's Plantation (Black-point) and from 
those of Caskoe, to be a meanes to help each of them 
to a goodly minister; wherefore 1 do make bold to intreat; 
your worship to do your endeavors to furnish them both. 
Thus hoping ere long to see your face, I leave you in the 
arms of our blessed Saviour, in whome also I rest, Your 
Worship's to command till death. 

THOMAS JENNER. 
Saco, 16 of the 2d, (April,) 1641. 

Mr. Jenner settled at W^eymouth, Mass. 1636. In ai 
division of land made in that town the same year, two 
lots were assigned to Mr. Thomas Jenner, senior and 
junior ;* from which we infer that father and son were 
both there. Another minister. Rev. Joseph Hull, preach- 
ed in Weymouth at the same time. In 1637, Winthrop 
informs us, "Divers of the elders went to Weymouth to 
reconcile the differences between the people and Mr. j 
Jenner, wlio.-n they had called thither with intent to have ;! 
him their pastor. They had good success of their pray-' 
ers." It is conjectured that some misunderstanding arose 
on account of the close neighborhood of Mr. Hull, whose 
frieids mnv hav<^ opposed the labors of Mr. Jenner.! 

*Leiiiir I'roin Hon. C. Webb of Weymouth, communicated by 
flev. J. Uent. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 83 

I 

' There were at tliat period about sixty families in Wey- 
moiitb, all living within the circumference of a little more 
than one mile. The town was represented at the Gener- 
al Court 1640 by Mr. Jenner.* He soon after came to 
this place, where he remained about tw^o years. Mr. Jen- 
nerwas probably the first non-conformist or puritan minis- 
ter that preached in Maine. He appears to have been 
■pleased wilh his success in con-ecting the 'superstitious' 
notions of our people. In December, 1649, Thomas 
Jenner of Charlestown, sold to Elder Bate and John 
Whitman of Weymouth, his dwellinghouse and land in 
the latter town.f This how-ever may not have been the 
clergyman, of whom we next hear in Norfolk, England, 
in a letter from Gov. Edward Winslow, dated at London, 
April 17, 1651. Mr. Jenner had left his library in this 
country, which Mr. Winslow then purchased, taking 3 
catalogue of the books, and advancing 50Z. to him on ac- 
count of his 'pressing necessities.' Mr. W^inslow was at 
that time the agent of a society formed in New England 
for the benefit of the Indians ; a part of whose plan it 
was to establish seminaries of learning for their education. 
I The library of ^Ir. Jenner was purchased in connection 
I with this object. The corresponding committee of the 
[society, in answer to the letter of Mr. Winslow, say: 
"We shall inquire after the catalogue of Mr. Jenner's 
books, and endeavor that neither your nor our end there- 
in be frustrated. It is apprehended by some that accord- 
ing to the act of Parliament, an eye may be had in the dis- 
tributions to the enlargement of the College at Cambridge, 
whereof there is great need, and the furtherance of learn- 
ing not so immediately respecting the Indian design. "J 



*It is supposed by the editor of Winthrop, i. 250, and by Mr. 
Webb, that it was the minister who represented Weymouth. Were 
it not against such respectable Huthorit3^ we should conjecture differ- 
ently. tJVIr. Webb's letter. J Hazard, Coll. ii. 178-80. 



84 HISTORY OF SACO 



CHAPTER VII. 

The political affairs of the Province, in which the in-- 
habitants on Saco river bore a conspicuous part, will a-- 
gain demand the attention of our readers. A new clai-- 
mant to the territory of Maine appeared after the death 
of Rigby, and assisted in defeating the expectations of 
the heir of Lygonia. This was no other than the colony^ 
of Mass. Bay. As early as 1639, this government set 
up a claim to Mason's province of New Hampshire by 
stretching their northern limit three miles above the head 
of the Merrimac. Their charter or patent conveyed to 
them "all that part of New England which lies and ex- 
tends between Merrimac and Charles rivers," and also 
three miles north of the former, and every part thereof, 
and the same distance south of the latter. It is evident 
that the course of the Merrimac was supposed to be only 
east, parallel to that of the Charles, by the grantors ; but 
on discovering that its head was situated far to the north 
of the limit thus established, the Massachusetts patentees 
determined to take advantage of the error, and over- 
throw the titles of other proprietors, holding like them- 
selves under the Council of Plymouth. This construc- 
tion of the charter brought within their jurisdiction near- 
ly all the settlements in Maine. But as Gorges had recent- 
ly received a royal confirmation of his grant, no attempt 
was made at that time to extend their claim into his pro- 
vince. The misfortunes of the Lord Proprietor, and the 
divided state of the towns after the death of Rigby, af- 
forded the colony a convenient opportunity for establish- 
ing its jurisdiction in this quarter. In 1652, a committee 
of the General Court, appointed to determine the northern 
limits of their patent, reported in favor of a point three 
miles north of an outlet of Lake Winnipiseogee, suppo- 
sed to be the head of the Merrimac. A parallel to the 
equator running through this point, was found to strike! 
Clapboard island in Casco bay, a few miles east of the 
town of Casco. Commissioners were sent "to treat with 
the gentlemen of the eastward," in the summer of that 



' AND BIDDEFORD. 86 

year, who repaired to Kittery for the purpose of confer- 
ring with the officers chosen by the Combination. Gov. 
Godfrey, with his council, resolutely denied the right of 
Mass. to any portion of the Province of Maine. There- 
upon the commissioners published a protest against the 
■authority of Godfrey, declaring the province to be within 
'the limits of the patent of Mass. and invited the inhabi- 
tants to submit to the jurisdiction of its government. 
This document is dated at Kittery, 9 July, 1652.* An 
answer to the protest was issued the same day by the of- 
ficers of the province, in which they say that the bounds 
of Mass. were determined twenty years before, since 
which time many grants had been made in this quarter ; 
a sum of £35000 expended in promoting the settlement 
of the country ; and a lawful jurisdiction exercised, which 
had been acknowledged by Massachusetts, and approved 
in England. A correspondence passed at the same time 
between Gov. Godfrey and the Secretary of Mass. in be- 
half of the General Court. Something was said by the 
latter, in a conciliatory style, of the favors that would be 
shown to the inhabitants on acknowledging their jurisdic- 
tion, to which Godfrey replies : *'As for sharing your fa- 
vors to us : by your favor, gentlemen, we are loath to 
part with our precious liberties for unknown and uncer- 
tain favors. We resolve to exercise our just jurisdiction 
till it shall please the Parliament, the Common Weale of 
England, otherwise to order, under whose power and 
protection we are."f 

An appeal to Parliament had been made nearly two 
years before by the Combination, praying to be constitu- 
ted a part of the Commonwealth of England, "that they 
and their posterity might enjoy the immunities and privi- 
leges of freeborn Englishmen ;" but without success. It 
is conjectured that the object of this petition was defeated 
by the agents of Mass. who represented to Parliament 
that the petitioners, however respectful in their language, 
were but royalists in disguise. There was little reason 
for confidence in that body, therefore, at the present junc- 

^Hazard. i. 568. tlbid.i.5€7. Sullivan. 331. 
8* 



86 HISTORY OF SACO 

ture, and finding that the Mass. government were resolved 
to persevere with their claim, the inhahitants at length con- 
sented to acknowledge the authority of the commissioners, 
and the jurisdiction of that colony. The board was com- 
posed of Simon Bradstreet, afterwards governor of Massa- 
chusetts, Samuel Simonds, Thomas Wiggen, and Bryan 
Pendleton, who met the inhabitants of Kittery at the 
house of William Everett, 16 Nov. 1652. The submis- 
sion of Gorgeana followed on the 22d of the same month. 
"Mr. Godfrey did forbear until the vote was passed by 
the rest, and then immediately he did by word and vote 
express his consent."* The commissioners made no 
farther progress that season. The following year a new 
board was appointed by the General Court, consisting 
of Richard Bellingham, Deputy Governor, afterwards 
Governor of the Colony ; Thomas Wiggen, one of the 
Assistants ; Maj. General Dennison ; Edward Rawson, 
Secretary; and Benjamin Pendleton. These gentlemen 
held their first session at the house of Mr. Joseph Emer- 
son in Wells, July 4, 1653. The inhabitants of that 
town were then summoned to acknowledge themselves 
subject to the government of Mass. Six only appeared, 
but on the following day most of them submitted. At 
the same time, "the inhabitants of Saco being by name 
particularly called, made their appearance accord- 
ing to their summons, and those whose names are here 
underwritten, acknowledged themselves subject to the 
government of the Massachusetts, as witness their hands 
this 5th of July, 1653:" (Signed) Thomas Williams, 
William Scadlork, senior, Christopher Hobbs, Thomas 
Readins;, John West, Thomas Haley, Richard Hitchcock, 
James Gibbins, Thomas Rogers, Philip Hinkson, Peter 
Hill, Robert Booth, Richard Cummin, Ralph Tristram, 
George Barlow, and Henry Waddock.f Power was 
granted to three of this number to receive the submission 
of others, and the same year we find these additional 
names : Ambrose Berry, Nicholas Buly, Andrew Auger, 
or Alger, John Halycom, John Leighton, senior, Roger 

^Report of the Commissioners. Mass. Records, tlbid. 



AND BIDDEFORB. $t 

Hill, Edward Andrews, Mr. John Smith, William Scad- 
lock, junior, Walter Penneil*. The inhabitants became 
freemen of the colony by taking the customary oath 
of freedom, which bound them to be faithful to the gov- 
ernment, and to give their vote and suffrage in matters 
of state, as they should in conscience judge best for the 
public good.f The limitation of freedom, or the right of 
citizenship, to members of the churches of the Colony, 
was still in force, but was dispensed with in relation to 
the inhabitants of Maine, from manifest necessity, the 
greater part of them being of the church of England. 

A sense of the injustice of the Mass. claim and a deep- 
rooted aversion to the principles of that colony, operated 
strongly on many of the inhabitants, and led them to ex- 
press an open contempt of its assumed jurisdiction. John 
JBonython, together with Mr. Jocelyn of Black-point, and 
Mr. Jordan of Spurwink, w^ere so active in their opposi- 
tion, that an order was issued for their arrest. The two 
latter were required to give bonds for their appearance 
before the General Court. Bonython escaped, where- 
upon a decree of outlawry was published against him in 
the following words : 

"Colony of Massachusetts Bay. At a general court 
held 1658. Whereas the town of Saco, within the line 
of our patent, in or near the bounds whereof John Bony- 
thon liveth, have generally submitted themselves and their 
lands to the government and jurisdiction of the Massachu- 
setts : and whereas there are great and frequent com- 
plaints made to this court, by several credible persons, 
that the said Bonython, attending no government, doth 
molest both his neighbours, and others that occasionally 
traffic or fish in those parts, and by his outrageous car- 
riages hath maimed some, and put others in danger of 
their lives, by his lawless and imperious actions. And 
whereas legal courses have been taken, and much pa- 
tience has been used for his reducement into some tolera- 
ble demeanor, hitherto not only in vain, but instead of 
complyance, he hath sent contemptuous and rayling re- 

"Tovvn Records. t'Ancient Charters and Laws of Mass. Bay.' p. 712. 



88 HISTORY OF SACO 

turns to this government or authority here. Whereupon,, 
this court considering the premises, doth declare the said I 
Bonython a rebel, or common enemy, and intend to pro- 
ceed against him accordingly; yet because this court is i 
very loth to use extremities, if it may stand with justice, , 
our peace and honor, to exercise some further delay, , 
therefore this court doth hereby express themselves wil- 
ling to give the said Bonython time till the first day of 
August next, peaceably to render himself into the hands 
of the governor, and such other of the magistrat(»s as 
shall then be in or near Boston, that his case being duly 
and seasonably considered, there may be such an issue 
put to the same, as shall be meet ; which clemency thus 
tendered, if neglected or contemned, it is resolved by 
this court, to proceed against him as a rebel or common 
enemy, to the people of these parts of New England 
and this government, in special to the people inhabiting 
near unto the place of his residence. And further this 
court doth impower any person that hath submitted to this 
government after the first of August, to apprehend the 
said Bonython by force, and bring him, alive or dead, to 
Boston, declaring and proclaiming, that whosoever shall 
so do, shall have twenty pounds paid him for his service 
to the country, out of the common treasury, which may 
be levied, with other charges, upon the said Bonython's 
estate." 

Messrs. Jordan and Jocelyn appeared in 1657 before 
the General court, and had their recognizances dischar- 
ged ; and Bonython, the following year made his submis- 
sion as follows : "Whereas the General Court have taken 
great offence against me as appears by their proclama- 
tion sent out the last court holden at Boston, for several 
offences therein expressed ; Now by what you their Com- 
missioners have spoken in reference thereunto, and also 
having had time to reflect upon my former actions, I do 
freely acknowledge my great miscarriage therein, and 
especially by my rash provoking letter sent to the magis- 
trates or Gen. Court, for which I am heartily sorry, and 
do humbly and thankfully accept of the act of indemni- 
ty and oblivion passed by your Worships, this present 



AND BIDDEFORD. 89 

court, with special respect to my particular case, having 
first testified my submission to the authority of the Mass. 
jurisdiction. John Bonython. 

At a Court holden at Falmouth, July 14, 1658." 
The Commissioners forthwith issued the following proc- 
lamation : "Whereas John Bonython for several offen- 
ces mentioned in a proclamation of the last general court, 
had time afforded him for his yielding himself into the 
hand of authority ; and to give satisfaction touching the 
same, otherwise after the first of September to stand in 
peril of his life, as. by the said proclamation doth appear, 
and whereas the court sent us their commissioners, whose 
names are hereunder written, invested with power, a- 
mongst other things, to grant protection and immunities, 
and to settle the government in Yorkshire to the utmost 
extent of their line ; the said Bonython did personally 
appear before us, sitting in open court, and after some 
time spent in setting forth the evils of such miscarriages, 
and provoking offences, as were set forth in said procla- 
mation mentioned, he the said Bonython, made his full 
acknowledgement under his hand, and yielded, and sub- 
scribed his subjection to this government, whereby any 
man may now have his legal course in any civil action 
against him. The people of these parts also having 
fully submitted themselves unto the government of the 
Massachusetts ; wherefore we thought it necessary forth- 
with, to make this matter known throughout the country, 
that the dangers of the life of the said John Bonython 
may be prevented, which if henceforth any should at- 
tempt it, is contrary to the intent of the general court, 
the end being obtained which was intended, namely, his 
reducement ; and we hereby declare his discharge." 
Signed by the commissioners. 

In the meantime Mr. George Cleaves sent a petition to 
Mass. in behalf of the province of Lygonia, and from 
the reply made to him, he appears to have offered 
proposals for a compromise of some sort. "In answer 
to the propositions presented to the court by Mr. George 
Cleaves, employed by several inhabitants of the northern 
parts of our patent, pretended by them to be the pro- 



90 HISTORY OF SAC© 

vince of Ly^onia, the court having compared the patents 
produced by Mr, Cleaves with our own, do find ours to 
have the precedency," &ic. This document is dated 
24th October, 1655.* The same year, Capt. afterwards 
Gov. John Leverett, being appointed agent of Mass. in 
England, received instructions from the General Court, 
touching this subject among others. Cromwell being 
then at the head of afftiirs, great care was taken to se- 
cure his favor to the colony ; in the language of Leverett's 
instructions, "that all complaints made against them by 
one or other might take no place in his princely breast." 
"If any complaint be made by Mr. Rigby, concerning 
our claim by virtue of our patent, as intrenching upon 
what he calls the province of Lygonia, you may for the 
present make llie best answer you may for the reasons 
expressed in our answer to Mr. Rigby's agent, a copy 
whereof we herewith deliver to you, which if it satisfy 
not, you may crave liberty for our further answer. "f 
Nothing more is heard, however, of Lygonia ; in such 
favor were they oj Massachusetts with "his princely high- 
ness," the Protector, that all efforts to resist their usurpa- 
tion were at this time fruitless. The remaining towns in 
the province submiited in 1C58; when Cleaves, Jocelyn, 
Jordan, Foxwell, Watts, and Bonython, with other in- 
habitants, took the oath of allegiance. Black-point and 
Casco received the names of Scarboro' and Falmouth 
from the commissioners. 

The point on the sea-coast terminating the northern 
line of the l\lass. patent as then fixed, seems not to have 
been determined until late in the year 1653. Messrs. 
Clarke and Andrews employed for this purpose, repott- 
ed that "the line ran over the northernmost point of the 
upper Clapboard island, about a quarter of a mile from 
the main in Casco bay, four or five miles to the north- 
ward of Mr. Mackworth's house." This gentleman 
dwelt many years near the mouth of Presumpscot river, 
on the eastern side, where he received a grant of 500 
acres from Mr. Vines as the agent of Gorges, in 1635. 

•Hazard.!. 298. tibid.i, 607. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 91 

The place is now called Mackay's point.* East of Clap- 
board island, therefore, Mass. claimed no jurisdiction. 
The colony of New Plymouth, through tlieir Kennebec 
patent, established a government in that quarter 1654, to 
which the iidiabitants with Mr Thomas Purchas of Pe- 
gypscot, at their head, yielded obedience. 

Thus the 'enerasping' colony of Mass. Bay, as it was 
aptly termed by Godfrey, and its sister of Plymouth, di- 
vided among them the lawful inheritance of the heirs of 
Gorges and Rigby. The former constituted the newly 
acquired territory a county whh the name of Yorkshire. 
An annual court was ordered to be holden at York, by 
one of the Assistants or principal magistrates of the Colo- 
ny, togetht^r with four associates or commissioners, to be 
nominated by the freemen of the county, and approved 
by the General Court. The first bench of associates was 
composed of "(he right trusty" Mr. Edward Godfrey, 
(late governor,) Mr. Abraham Preble, Mr. Edward John- 
son, and Mr. Edward Rishworih, all of York. Henry 
Norton, of the same place, was appointed marshal or 
sheriff of the county. The first court under this juris- 
diction sat in 1653, at which the 'Right Worshipful Rich- 
ard Bellingham,' presided. f The associates, or a part 
of their number, were authorized to hold inferior courts 
in different towns of the county. 

This state of things continued without interruption un- 
til after the restoration of Charles II. to the throne of 
England, in 1660, when the old party favorable to Gor- 
ges began to revive. Sir John Gorges was now dead, 
and the estate had passed into the more efficient hands of 
his son, who inherited something of the resolute spirit of 
the old proprietor. The young Sir Ferdinando petition- 
ed the crown to be restored to his lawful inheritance, and 
communicated with a number of the inhabitants of the 
province, opposed to the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. 



*Perhaps a corruption of the name of the old proprietor. See 
Moody's Chart of Casco Bay. 

tMr, Bellingham is said to have had more agency than any other 
magistrate, in framing the legal code of the Mass. Colony. Hutch- 
inson. Hist, i. 386. 



92 HISTORY OF SACO 

He obtained letters from the King addressed to the gov« 
ernor of that colony, requiring restitution to be made 
forthwith to his agent, or otherwise to show reason for 
their occupation of the Province. The colony in returnr 
made a humble address to the throne justifying the course 
they had taken. The agent of Gorges Mr. J. Archdale, 
meantime came into the Province with commissions to 
the following persons as counsellors or magistrates under 
his authority ; viz. F. Champernoon, Robert Cutts, and 
T. Withers, of Kittery ; E. Rishworth and F. Raynes 
of York ; J. Bowles of Wells ; Francis Hooke of Saco ; 
H. Watts of Blue-point ; H. Jocelyn of Black-point ; R. 
Jordan of Spurwink ; Francis Neale of Casco ; and T. 
Purchasof Pegypscot. Numerous prosecutions of the dis- 
affected inhabitants soon after followed in the courts of 
Mass. Jocelyn, Champernoon, Jordan, and Nicholas, 
Shapleigh were presented by the grandjury in 1663, "for 
acting against the authority they were under, and so re- 
nouncing the authority of Mass., using means for the sub- 
verting thereof under pretence of a sufficient power from 
Esq. Gorges to take off the people, which is manifest to 
the contrary." William Hilton of Kittery,* constable, 
was presented "for tearing of a special warrant, sent by 
the Secretary from Boston to Kittery for sending a depu- 
ty to the General Court." "We present," say they, 
"the freemen of Saco, Mr. Williams, R. Hitchcock, R. 
Trustram, H. Waddock, J. Gibbins, Nic. Edgecomb, E. 
Sanders, J. Smith, R. Cummins, T. Rogers, J. Bonighton, 
and R. Hill, for their neglect in not submitting to such 
commands as have been required, in the due observing 
of sue' orders as by oath as freemen they have bound 
themselves unto. We present Mr. Thomas Booth for 
vain swearing and slandering the country by saying 'they 
were a company of hypocritical rogues, they feared nei- 
ther God, nor the King,' with other uncivil speeches. 
We present Mr. Fr. Hooke, who upon the Lord's day, 
after Mr. Fletcher (minister of Saco) had exhorted the 
people to be earnest in prayer to the Lord to direct them 

*Sullivan, 373, says Arundel, a name of much later date. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 



93 



in respect they were under two claymes of government ; 
the said Hooke starts up and answers Mr. Fletcher, 'he 
need not make such a preamble, for they were under 
Gorges' authority.' And the said Hooke doth act by his 
authority, granting warrants, summonses, taking deposi- 
tions, and hearing causes. We present Mr. R. Jordan 
for saying (among other things) that the governor of Bos- 
ton was a rogue, and all the rest thereof traitors and 
rebels against the King. We present James Wiggins,* 
who being at Wells about May last was twelve month, 
being asked by Goody Greene whether said Wiggins 
would carry in a dish of meat to the Bay Magistrates," 
(then sitting at Wells,) "answered with an oath, 'if it were 
poison he would carry it them.' The court sentenced 
Wiggins to receive 15 lashes, and to find bonds of good 
behaviour, but afterwards commuted the punishment to a 
fine of ten pounds. Mr. Francis Small was required to 
answer "for saying in open court that Mr. Geo. Cleaves 
was a traitor, and that he could prove that the said 
Cleaves said, that the King was an atheist, a papist, &:c. 
and it was proved in court that Cleaves so spake." 

Charles II. directed his attention to New England soon 
after his restoration. In 1664, he appointed four Com- 
missioners to visit all the colonies, "with full power to 
receive and determine complaints and appeals in all cau- 
ses and matters, and to settle the peace and security of 
the country. "f Three of the Commissioners, Sir Ro- 
bert Carr, George Cartwright and Samuel Maverick, 
Esquires, came into this quarter in the summer of 1665, 
when they issued the following proclamation : 

"June 23, 1665. — By the King's Commissioners for 
settling the affairs of New England. We having seen 
the several charters granted to Sir F. Gorges and to the 
, corporation of Mass. Bay, and having received several 
petitions from the inhabitants of the Province of Maine, 
which is laid claim unto both by the heir of Sir F. Gor- 
ges and the said corporation, in which petitions they de- 

j *Sullivan says Thomas, and gives a somewhat different version of 
'the story 373. 

iSee ttie commission, Hutch. Hist. i. Appx. 15. Hazard, ii. 636. 
9 



94 HISTORY OF SACO 

sire to be taken into his Majesty's immediate protection 
and government, and having considered that it would be 
of ill consequence if the inhabitants of this province 
should be seduced by those of Mass. Bay, who have al- 
ready by the sound of the trumpet denied to submit 
themselves unto his majesty's authority, which by com- 
mission under his great seal of England he hath been 
pleased to entrust us with, looking upon themselves as the 
supreme power in these parts, contrary to their allegiance 
and derogatory to his Majesty's sovereignty : and being 
desirous that the inhabitants of this province may be at 
peace among themselves and free from the contests of 
others and the inconveniences that may thence necessari- 
ly arise. To the end that may be so : We by the pow- 
ers 2;iven us by his sacred Majesty under his great seal 
of England, do by these presents receive all his Majesty's 
good subjects living within the province of Maine into his 
Majesty's more immediate protection and government, j 
And by the same powers, and to the end this province may J 
be well governed, we hereby nominate and constitute Mr. . 
F. Champernoon and Mr. R. Cutts of Kittery, Mr. E. 
Johnson and Mr. E. Rishworth of York, Mr. Samuel 
"Wheelwright of Wells, Mr. F. Hooke and Mr. William 
Phillips of Saco, Mr. George Mounjoy of Casco, Mr. H. 
Jocelyn of Black-point, IMr. R. Jordan of Richmond's 
Island, and Mr. John Wincoll of Newichawanock, (Ber- 
wick,) Justices of the Peace, and we desire, and in his 
Majesty's name we require, them and every of them, to 
execute the office of a Justice of the Peace within the 
Province of Maine. And we hereby authorize and em- 
power Mr. H. Jocelyn, and Mr. E. Rishworth, Recorder, 
or either of them to administer the oath underwritten, 
(which themselves have taken before us,) to all the afore- 
named gentlemen who have not taken it, before they shall 
act as Justices of the Peace. And we hereby give power 
and authority to any three of the abovenamed Justices of 
the Peace to meet at convenient times and places as here- 
tofore other Magistrates have met, or as they shall think 
most convenient, and there to hear and determine all cau- 
ses both civil and criminal, and to order all the affairs of 



AND BIDDEFORD. 95 

Province for the peace, safety and defence thereof, pro- 
ceeding in all cases according to the laws of England as 
near as may be, and thus to do until his Majesty please 
to appoint another government. And in his Majesty's 
nnme we require and cominand all the inhabitants of this 
Province to yield obedience to the said Justices acting 
according to the laws of England as near as may be. 
And in his Majesty's name we forbid as well the Com- 
missioners of Mr. Gors;es, as the corporation of Mass. 
Bay, to molest any of the inhabitants of this Province 
with their pretences, or to exercise any authority within 
this province, until his Majesty's pleasure be further 
known, by virtue of their pretended rights. Given un- 
der our hands and seals at York within the said Province 
the 23 day of June, &z;c. 1665." Signed and sealed by 
the commissioners abovenamed.* 

A provincial form of government, so ardently desireji 
by a large proportion of our inhabitants, was thus re-es- 
tablished. Maine once more assumed an independent 
relation to the other colonies of New England. The 
friends of Gorges, relieved from the jurisdiction of Mass. 
and led to expect a speedy recognition of his proprietary 
claims, warmly supported the authority of the royal Com- 
missioners. General Assemblies, composed of all in 
commission, and of burgesses, or deputies, from the 
several towns, were holden at this place, which appears 
to have been made the seat of the government. The 
Commissioners (who remained only a few weeks in the 
Province) directed that 'if the justices were equally divi- 
ded on any subject, Mr. Jocelyn should have the casting 
vote ; if he is not present, Mr. Jordan.' Another order 
allowed juries of seven men to be impanneled for the 
trial of cases, 'on account of the fewness of the inhabi- 
tants'. f The first inferior court under this organization 



*County Records. Sullivan takes no notice of this document. It 
probably escaped his enquiries. The Duke of York had a jurisdic- 
tion at this time east of the Kennebec, which Sullivan erroneously 
supposed to have extended west of that river. 

f A similar regulation existed in New York at that period. Smith. 
Hist. N. Y. 43. 



9G HISTORY OF SACO 

of the government, was holden at Wells in July follow- 
ing ; the second at this place, Nov. 7. At the former 
It was ordered that 'every town shall take care that there 
be a pair of stocks, a cage and coucking stool^ erected^ 
between this and the next Court.' William Phillips was 
appointed Major of the forces in the Province ; R. 
Hitchcock and John Lazir, officers of the Saco and Cape 
Porpoise company. How long this state of things con- 
tinued, will appear in a subsequent chapter. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Our oldest existing book of town records commences 
with the year 1653, when the inhabitants passed unde; the 
jurisdiction of Massachusetts. Nothing is known, there- 
fore, of the administration of town affairs before that 
time. The Mass. Commissioners, who had full power to 
arrange all matters, local as well as general, in the pro- 
vince, as they thought proper, ordered as follows : 

"1. That Saco shall be a township by itself and always 
shall be a part of Yorkshire and shall enjoy protection, 
equal acts of favor and justice with the rest of the peo- 
ple inhabiting on the south side of the river of Pascata- 
qua, or any other within the limits of our jurisdiction, and 
enjoy the privileges of a town as others of the jurisdic- 
tion have and do enjoy, with all other liberties and privi- 
leges in our jurisdiction. 

2. That every inhabitant shall have and enjoy all their 
just proprieties, titles and interests, in the houses and 
lands which they do possess, whether by grant of the 
town possession, or of the former general court. 



*This instrument for the punishment of common scolds, consisted 
of a long beam moving on a fulcrum, like a well-sweep, extending 
ovar a pond or other collection of water ; on one extremity of which 
a seat was placed for the culprit. By a natural corruption it was of- 
ten called the ducking stool. Jacob. Law Diet. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 97 

3. That all the present inhabitants of Saco shall be 
iVeemen of the county, and having taken the oath of free- 
men, shall have liberty to give their votes for the election 
of governor, assistants, and other general officers of the 
country. 

4. That the said town shall have three men approved 
by the county courts from year to year, to end small cau- 
ses as other townships in the jurisdiction have, where no 
magistrate is according to law : and for the present year 
Mr. Thomas Williams, Robert Booth, and John West, 
are appointed and authorized to end all small causes un- 
der 40s. according to law. And further these commis- 
sioners or any two of them, are and shall be empowered 
and invested with full power and authority as a magistrate, 
to keep the peace, and in all civil causes to grant attach- 
ments and executions if need require. Any of the said 
commissioners have power to examine offenders, to com- 
mit to prison, unless bail be given according to law, and 
where these or any of these, shall judge needful, they 
shall have power to bind offenders to the peace on good 
behaviour. Also, any of the commissioners have power 
to administer oaths according to law, also to solemnize 
marriages according to law. It is further hereby order- 
ed, that for this present year Mr. Thomas Williams, Ro- 
bert Booth, and John West, shall be the selectmen to or- 
der the prudential affairs of the town of Saco for this 
year. Lastly, it is granted that the inhabitants of Saco 
shall be from time to time exempted from all public rates, 
and that they shall always bear their own charges of the 
courts, and arising from among themselves. Ralph 
Tristram is appointed constable, and W^illiam Scadlock 
clerk of the writs and grandjuryman for this year. Rich- 
ard Hitchcock is appointed and authorized as a sergeant 
to exercise the soldiery." 

The first meeting of the inhabitants of which a record 
has been found, was holden a week after their submission, 
12 July. A division of the great marsh in the lower part 
of Vines's patent, was then made. The following is a 
transcript of the record. 

"July 12, 1653. The freemen of Saco being mette 
together to make division of lands and midows, first the 
9* 



98 HISTORY OF SACO 

greet marsh is divided as foloweth : The maine body of [ 
the marsh into 7 lotts 3 ackors to a lott thus : In the ' 
northeast corner Richard Cooman 4 pole ^ southwest- ■ 
ward ; Christopher Hobbs 4 pole J next to him : on the : 
southwest Petter Hill 4 pole J : next on the southwest . 
Nickolas Buly 2 pole J which 2 p J runs quit through to 
the north west 50 pole in length. At the northwest cornor 
Andrew Auger the same length and bredth opposed to 
Richard Cooman 4 pole J Ambrose Beirie next to him 
westward ; John Holycom next to Birie : and the cornors 
of marsh is divided amongst them 7 : John West is alot- 
ted the Cow Hand in lew of his part in the great marsh : 
Thomas Haile (Haley) is granted 2 akors of marsh next 
Puding point in that marsh at the end of the railes in the 
Cove: and the quantitie of an akor of upland adjoining 
to them most meete to plant upon and the most part of: 
Puding point that portion of ground by Phillip Hinksons > 
house is to be devided betweene them as may be most 
convenient for their use. Richard Cooman (Cumming) 
is granted one akor of marsh in the cove at the end of 
the railes next Thomas Hailes 2 akors of marsh. This 
much is divided and granted this 12 of July by the select-? 
men of Saco 1653 Thomas Williams, Robert Booth." 

The next record, dated July 17, continues the divi- 
sion. *'John Lighton is granted 6 akors of marsh being 
betweene Stonie stand and the seawall abuting upon thej 
great pond from the upland streight down to the Creake 
at the seawall being at the southwest end of the pond* 
Ralph Trustrum is granted to have his six akors mension- 
ed upon his lease to ly in the cove at the southwest end 
of John Lightons marsh. Also Ralph Trustrum is grant- 
ed 5 akors more of marsh at the lower end of his 6 akors 
on both sides the Creeke next J. Leightons running downe 
by 2 points of rockes to the Creeke. It is granted to R.' 
Booth to have all those porshions of marsh about Stonie , 
Stand point from his house about point north east to 

the mill and so to J. Lightons marsh. Water Pennell is 
granted 2 akors of marsh next Ralph Trustrums marsh 
on the southwest. It is granted to R. Booth and W. Pen-,! 
nell to have all that neck of land commonly called Stonie ■ 



^ ^ ^ 



c^ 



^ 






^ 



Hv. 



•Ni 



















-^ 






J 



. > -^ ^ > ^ i ^ 



«« , 






J^j f Z» "^ A c^ ^ *»■ 



»^» ^'^J 



AND BIDDEFORD. 99 

Stand being 60 pole in bredth or thereabout be It more or 
less and so up into the woods south west until 150akors 
be compleated with all the profits thereto belonging to the 
same next to R. Trustrums on the south east ol his lott." 

The following grant relates to the first sawmill erected 
on this river. 

*'Sept. 27, 1653. It is granted by the townesmen of 
Saco that Roger Spencer have libartie to set up a saw- 
mill within their township provided that he doth make hir 
redie to doo execution within one year, and also that he 
shall have sufficient accomodation for such a work upon 
this condition thai all the townsmen shall have hordes 12d 
in a hundared cheaper than any stranger. Secondly that 
the townsmen shall be imployed in the worke before a 
stranger provided that they doo their worke so cheap as 
a stranger : this acomodation we have granted to him and 
his heaires forever."* 

A similar grant was made not long after as follows. 
^'Sacothe 11 month, 17 day 1653. (Jan. 17,1654.) 
Granted to John Davies of York to have the priviledge 
to set up a sawmill upon the great falls of the river of 
Saco any where within the township of Saco and to have 
acomodation suffisient for that worke the most convenient 
that he can find next to Roger Spencer lately grant but 
not hinder any other worke or acommodation that hereaf- 
ter shall be granted if posible he can prevent their pre- 
judice or hinderance of any man. Also the said John 
Davis shall have timber land and midow suffisient for his 
worke if it is to be had about and above the falls ungrant- 
ed he is to finish this work within 2 years ^ after the date 
hereof, that in case he do not finish it by that time yet he 
shall thenceforward pay all dues hereafter mentioned in 
this covenant according to a proportionable value as by 
diligent imployment may be raited. And he is to set the 
townesmen on work above and before others strangers 
and buy provisions of them before strangers at price cur- 
ent. The towne is to have boi des of him for their own 
use at lOd Q. 100 under price curent. Also John Davis, 

^Sullivan, p. 221, was not very successful in decyphering this grant. 



100 HISTOKY OF SACO 

shall set up his forge in Saco and do such work for the^l 
inhabitants as they shall have need of in lime convenient 
for curent price and curent pay so long as he (is) inhabi- 
tant in Saco or hath a dwelling there." 
Tlie earliest entire list of town officers is dated 16 June 
1656, when were chosen Ralph Tristram, Constable ; T. 
Rogers, Grandjuryman ; Thomas Williams, Ambrose 
Berry, and Robert Booth, Commissioners : R. Booth, 
Clerk of the Writs ; (equivalent to town clerk ;) Henry 
Waddock, Mr. T. Wilhams, James Gibbins, R. Booth, 
A. Berry, R. Tristram, and Rich. Hitchcock, Pruden- 
tial men (Selectmen) ; T. Williams, Town Treasurer. 

It was ordered at a previous meeting, 1654, "that if 
any outner desire to come into towne to inhabite, they 
shall first put in sufisient not to be chargeable to the 
towne." In 1659, we find, ''Mr. Edward Colcott is re- 
ceived an inhabitant into our towne of Saco. Allso he 
is granted a loit in our towne lying on the southwest side 
of our river 20 poles broad next N. Buly, jr. and all the 
upland in the tract to fourtie pole in length being on the 
north west side Buly's house And foure akors of marsh 
lying on the southwest side of Little river next William 
Scadlock between him and Rich. Hitchcox about the isl- 
ands." In 1671, a fine of ten pounds was imposed on 
this lot 'for want of improvement according to town or- 
der.' This person was doubtless the same mentioned in 
a former chapter, who according to Hubbard came over 
in 1631 to Pascataqua, and "for want of a better was af- 
terwards for some years together chosen governor of the 
plantations about Dover."* N. Buly, jr's, grant was "in 
Saco river near Puding point upon a little runlitt of water 
coming out of the woods, in bredih fiftie poles, that is to 
say : 20 poles on the lower side the gut or runlitt of water, 
and 30 poles on the hyer side next to John Wests laitely 
granted." 

The town commissioners or justices for the trial of petty 
cases, entered their doings in the town book. The com- 
missioners were annually elected by the townsmen. "At 



*See paare 43, and Hubbard. N. E. 219. He is styled Mr. in our 
records, a title denoting some consequence at that period. 



AND BIDDEFORD* 101 

a commissioners' court held at Saco 1658, James Har- 
man is presented for swearing, cursing, and drunkenness, 
and is fined fourtie shillings and bound to his good beha- 
viour till the Countie Court, in a bond of ten pounds, and 
Ralph Trustram for him." 

"Nov. 25, 1661. At a town court houlden at Ralph 
Tiustram's house at Winter Harbor — an action of tres- 
pass entered by Lieut. William Phillips, plaintiff against 
Richard Hitchkox, of trespasse in cutting hay or grasse 
on his marsh, for the plff. 205. damages and costs of 
court." 

Verdict of a jury of inquest : "The 27 of the 10 
month, 1658. A jury being somoned on account of the 
death of Mary Haile (Haley) brougbt in this verdict, 
viz. 'We of the jury about Mary Haile have agreed 
that according to the evidence given too us that sbee was 
accessary to her own death with over much eating and 
drinking : we not having any witnesse that shee was for- 
ced thereunto.' The jury were these Capt Rogger Spen- 
cer, Mr. T. Williams, Mordecai Crawitt, R. Trustram, 
P. Hill, John Hallsome, Jerimie Umfrees, R. Hill, J. 
Bouden." Another jury "impannelled to inquiere of the 
death of Lydrack Luscom six yere old. This jury re- 
turrne this verdict : That he was drownded accedentally 
through his own default." 

The town was first represented at the Mass. General 
Court in 1659, by Robert Booth ; the following year by 
Rich. Hitchcock.* in 1675, they appointed Capt. Rich. 
Waldron of Dover to be their deputy ; the colony laws 
not requiring that the representative of a town should be 
one of its inhabitants. f The town was not represented 
in the Mass. Gen. Court at any other time during that 
century. Under the Government of the King's Com- 
missioners 1667, Bryan Pendleton was elected Burgess 
to attend the Gen. Court of the Province. 

In some of the town grants the reservation is made, 
'except any one can show a better title than the town 
hath.' The lands granted were situated in the patent of 
Dr. Child ; the freemen strictly were not enthled to the 

•Records Gen. Court. tAncient Charters and Laws. 07. 



102 HISTORY OF SACO 

disposal of them, but no intelligence having been receiveii! 
from the patentee at that time, they assigned lots to thos( 
who would improve them, without warranting the good^ 
ness of the title. In 1656, three executions were levie( 
on the patent in satisfaction of judgments granted by the 
court at Salem to Joseph Armitage of Lynn, againsi 
Messrs. John Beex and Company of London, a mercan; 
tile house of extensive connections in New England. Dr 
Child probably sold to them, but at what time we ani 
not informed. Armitage was the assignee of Samue 
Bennett and Henry Tucker, creditors of Beex and com- 
pany. The amount of the executions was about £130^ 
Bennett, and perhaps Tucker, belonged to Lynn. Mr 
Beex was concerned in the Iron Works at that place 
commenced 1643, and carried on at considerable ex 
pense and loss for several years.* Armitage came an( 
made his levies at Winter Harbor, but met with some re- 
sistance from the inhabitants. He was 'arrested for un 
just molestation at the suit of T. Williams and neighbors' 
they, however, agreed to refer the dispute to the decisior 
ol the Gen. Court. The inhabitants seem to have pre- 
vailed, as Beex and company subsequently sold to Wii 
liam Piiillips Jr. of Boston. They were probably no 
apprised that Dr. Child had transferred his right in th( 
patent ; nor was the fact of its having become the pro- 
perty of Beex and company, made to appear with cer- 
tainty by the claimants. Armitage moreover, behave( 
with undue violence in asserting his pretended right 
threatening 'to clear his land by fire,' and thus lay waste 
the improvements made upon it, unless his claims were 
admitted. The success of the town was therefore i 
source of satisfaction, and without doubt materially pro- 
moted its interests. The claimant was a man of low staiid-l 
ing and in embarrassed circumstances. f Mr. Phillips, or 
the contrary, who purchased not long after the date o| 
these events, was a gentleman of a liberal and enter-ijj 
prizing character, as it will appear in the course of ihejl 



*Levvis. Hist. Lynn. 81. 117. Mr L. remarks that most of the iron 
Used in the Colony at that period was furnished from this source. 

tlbid. 93. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 108 

following pages. Mr. John JefFerd, named in the deed 
)f Beex and Co. lo Phillips, of which we subjoin a copy, 
Was several years the agent for the Iron Works at Lynn ; 
le commenced his charge at that place 1651.* 

Deed of Vines's Patent, now Biddeford. 
"Know all men by these presents that I, William Haw- 
thorne of Salem in New England, Planter and Attorney 
\o Mr. John Jeffard in behalf of Mr. Beex and Company 
of London, for and in consideration of the sum of ninety 
pounds to me in hand paid before the sealing and deli- 
very of these presents, Have given, granted, bargained 
and sold unto Lieut. William Phillips of Boston, Vintner, 
'all that tract of land mentioned in a patent granted by the 
Right Hon. Robert Earl of Warwick and Company unto 
'Mr. Vines, bearing date 20 Feb. 1629, as in said patent 
doth more at large appear, which is delivered to him at 
the sealing hereof, as also I\Ir. Vines's deed of sale to Dr. 
'Child, To have and to hold all that tract of land above- 
said with all the appurtenances, he. to him the said Wil- 
,liam Phillips, his heirs and assigns forever, u^arranting 
■and defending the same against Mr. Beex and Company, 
or any claiming from, by or under them or any of them. 
'In witness w^iereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal 
this 11 March, 1658-9. (signed) William Hathorne." 
Acknowledged before Gov. J. Endecott. Possession 
given 13 Jime 1659, in presence of Edw. Rishvvorth and 
'William White.f 

, The following indenture was made between Mr. Phil- 

l*lips and the old inhabitants. "A. D. 1659, 26 Sept. It 

'is agreed and consented unto by Mr. W. Phillips of Bos- 

'ton of the one party, and Mr. Thos. Williams, R. Trus- 

i trum, P. Hill, N. Buly, sen. and Christopher Hobbs, of 

' Saco, of the other party; that the said parties having 

leases and possession of certain lands and meadows from 



*Lewis. Hist 97. Mr. Lewis writes the name Gifford. He had a 

f son Philip. The Rev Samuel Jefferds, minister of Wells 1725-52, 

\ was born at Salem ; we should have supposed him a descendant of 

the abovementioned gentleman, but family tradition relalee that his 

\ father, Simon Jefferds, came from England 1700. 

i County Records. 



104 HISTORY OF SACO 

Mr. Vines in Saco, they shall freely forever hereafter en- J 
joy the same with all the privileges and profits contained ' 
in such their leases and possessions both they and their 
heirs or assigns forever, for and in consideration of pay- 
ing one day's work for each lessee if it be demanded 
within the year, and yearly. And as for all mines, one 
fifth part shall belong to the state of England, and one 
half of the rest to the said Mr. Phillips and Iiis succes-- 
sors, and the other half to the possessors and their succes-- 
sors forever ; To the which agreement the said Mr. Phil-- 
lips doth bind himself, his heirs or assigns in the sum ofi 
six pounds sterling to each man herein expressed in case 
it should so happen that the right and title be at any time 
hereafter recovered out of the hands of the said Mr. W. 
Phillips or his heirs or assigns. In witness hereto we have 
interchangeably set our hands the day and date afore- 
said." (Signed by the parties.) 

A controversy soon after arose between the town and 
Mr. Phillips, which came before the Gen. Court, as ap- 
pears from the following record ; "At a town meeting 5 . 
month 6 day (July 6) 1 660. It is a town act that Mr; J 
Robert Jordan and IVIr. Richard Hitchcock are empower-- 
ed as Attorneys, to be advocates to plead the town's privi- 
leges, properties and interests with Lieut. W. Phillips, in 
a case depending between him and the town before the 
Honored Gen. Court's committee." 

The committee consisted of Maj. General Humphry^ 
Atherton, Thos. Savage, and Thos. Clarke, Esquires, to t 
whom were also referred the petitions of Geo. Cleaves,^ 
of Falmouth, John Bonython and Richard Foxwell, re- • 
specling their patents, the latter as heirs of Capt. Rich- - 
ard Bonython. They reported at the October session i 
1660, as follows: "We whose names are underwritten ' 
being appointed by the Gen. Court held at Boston Octo. . 
18, 1659, to hear and determine certain differences which i 
concern Lieut. W. Phillips, Mr. G. Cleaves, Mr. J. Bony-^' - 
thon and Mr. Foxwell, and to make return thereof unto i 
this court ; We accordingly have attended that service ; 
and return as followeth : That the town of Saco shall I 
have belonging unto it all the land lying within the bounds 
hereafter mentioned, viz. from Winter Harbor to Saco 



AND BIDDEFORD. 105 

river mouth and from thence up along the river towards 
the falls as far as the house of Ambrose Berry, and from 
thence a line to run on a square towards Cape Porpoise 
so far as the bounds of said Saco go that way, and so 
down the dividing line between Cape Porpoise and Saco 
unto the sea, and so along the sea unto Winter Harbour, 
reserving out of this tract the seawall beginning at a pond 
about half a mile southward from the mill commonly 
called Duck pond, and running from the said pond to the 
mill, and from thence to the rock of land on which Roger 
Spencer liveth, with the marshes adjoining to the seawall, 
not exceeding 40 rods broad from said wall ; And also a 
neck of land commonly called Parker's neck, also sixty 
acres of wood land adjoining to an allotment late in the 
possession of Goodman Leighton, now in the possession 
of Lieut. Phillips, also sixty acres of land lying between 
Mr. Hitchcock's house and Saco river mouth, where 
Lieut. Phillips shall make choice of it in any land not in 
lease ; which aforesaid tract of land so bounded shall be 
disposed of by the townsmen of Saco, either for com- 
mons, or otherwise as they shall see cause, unto which 
disposal of the aforesaid tract Lieut. W. Phillips doth 
consent. And all contracts made by any of the posses- 
sors of any land within the limits of the patent in Saco, 
which did belong unto Mr. R. Vines, with Lieut. Phil- 
lips are to stand good. And such possessors of land 
within the said limits as have not as yet contracted f(jr 
their land that they do possess, are to pay the like pro- 
portions of rent which those do who have already con- 
tracted. And all other lands laid out within the limits of 
the patent of Mr. Vines, excepting that neck of land 
where R. Spencer dwelleth, which said neck is bounded 
with the end of the sea wall next to it adjoining, to be- 
long unto Mr. Phillips. 

"In relation to the complaint of Mr. J. Bonython, We 
find his patent is in joint to Mr. T. Lewis and the father 
of Bonython, and that several of those which he com- 
plains against, had land from the aforesaid Lewis and his 
successors ; We therefore order that a due division be 
made betwixt them if it be not already done. And then 
those that trespass on any of Mr. Bonython's rights, he 
10 



106 HISTOKY OF SACO 

may have bis remedy in a cause of law, where wi3 hope 
he may liave justice. "^ * * As to the complaints of IVlr. 
R. Fox well, he appeared not there to make any proofs 
thereof. (Signed by the Committee.) Dated 25 of the J 
8th month (Oclo.) 1660. The court approved of tliere^ 
turn of the commissioners and do order it shall be a final 
issue &LC. A true copy. E. Rawson, Secretaiy. 

Transcribed into York Records, 1 March, 1680-1, by 
E. Rishworth, Recorder. 

The following record from the town-book, relates to 
the above proceedings. 'M661 : 2 month 20 day, at a ij 
town meetins; in Saco there was an order read in the mee- I 
ting which came from the genera 11 Court concerning the i 
proceeding between Lieut. Wm Phillips the [)atentie and i 
the inhabitants of Saco, the which Court order and con- 
clusion the maior part of tlie meeting doth accept. R, 
Bootli town dark." 

The town at a subsequent meeting passed a vote that the. 
selectmen "shall have the disposing and alloting of all' 
such lands and meadows as are lefi to the town's disposal 
by the Gen. Court's Commissioners, whose disposal the 
Gen. Court did approve." , 

Phillips acquired soon after another title to his landg^ 
by an extensive purchase from an Indian sachem. This' 
title proved valid where grants had not been previously 
made. A copy of the i\ee(\ is subjoined. 

Indian Deed.- — "Know all men by these presents th^i 
I, Mogg Hegone, of Saco river in New England, son and; 
heir to Walter Higgon, Sagamore of said River, but nowv 
deceased, do for and in consideration of a certain sura: 
received by me, well and truly paid in goods by Maj. W.. 
Phillips of Saco, the receipt whereof I do acknowledges 
myself being fully satisfied and paid, have given, granted, 
bargained and sold, and by these presents do aliene, en- 
feoff and confirm unto the said Major W. Phillips of Saco, 
a tract of land being bounded with Saco river on the 
northeast side, and Kennebunk river on the south west 
side, in breadth from the one river to the other river afore- 
said, and in length beginning at the seaside and running 
up the east river unto Salmon falls, on Saco river, and as 



AND BIDDI>FORl». ' 107 

far up Kennebunk river until it be opposite Salmon falls., 
which falls is to be understood falls about fifteen miles 
upward from the sawmills at Saco falls, He the said Phil- 
lips to have and to hold the said land with all timber 
land, marshes, and all the growth thereon for him, his 
heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever, freely 
and clearly acquitted, exonerated and discharged from 
all manner of mortgages, sales, engagements or incum- 
brances whatsoever. Also I the said Mogg Hegon, do 
for myself, my heirs, executors and assigns, warrant, save 
and keep harmless the said Phillips, his heirs or assigns 
from arty manner of person that shall lay claim thereto ; 
for the true performance of the premises, I have this 
last day of May subscribed my hand and fixed my seal. 
A. D. 1664. — In presence of John Wakefield, Mary 
Wakefield." Recorded 1669.^ 

The old lessees in some instances obtained a joint con- 
firmation from the town and the patentee. *'At a town- 
meeting March 13, 1667-8. VVe the selectmen doo con- 
firme unto Roger Hill joyntly with maier Phillips : that his 
lease which his father Petter Hill had from Mistris Mack- 
worth in Saco river I say it is ratified and confirmed to 
the said Roger and his ayers forever as atests Robert 
Booth Recorder." 

The following indenture, it will be seen, relates to the 
other patent. "iVug. 9, 1659. Jt is agreed between H. 
Waddock and Jas. Gibbins that the said Henry shall be- 
gin his utmost bounds (at the) great gutt up above his 
cornfield norwest and str^^ight north to goose faire 
pathe and so to follow the pathe along to goosefaire old 
wading place which tract of land and meddowe betweene 
that bound and the seashore H. Waddock doth take for 
full satisfaction for all bargaines and sailes heretofore 

concluded Said H. Waddock shall be free from all rent 
and demands heretofore and hereafter paying to the said 
James his heires or assignes one peppercorn uppon 

the 29 Aug. if it be demanded." (signed.) This tract 



■^Sullivan, p. 151, seems to have supposed Phillips had no other 
titlo than that derived from the Indian purchase. He probably over- 
looked the J3eex &> Co- deed. 



108 HISTORY OF SACO 

extended from the lower part of the river across to Goose 
fair brook, and so down to the sea, and contained about 
200 acres; it was sold by Waddock's widow to Humphry 
Scamman 1679. Some years after, 1693, Mrs. Wear- 
wick, as the name is written in the instrument, then of 
Gloucester, Mass. executed a power of attorney to her 
son John Tenny, also of Gloucester, formerly of Black- 
point, to recover this land of Mr. Scamman, together with 
£30 or 40 in money. The war had driven away the in- 
Jiabitants at that tinae, and Scamman, who removed to 
Kittery, had not then completed his purchase. 

A few miscellaneous extracts from the town book will 
not be uninteresting. In 1655 Mr. Thomas Williams was 
chosen town-treasurer, 'and to take a note of such as con- 
tribute to the college.* Contributions in aid of the col- 
lege at Cambridge were solicited in all the towns at that 
period. In the court records we find William Ward well 
of Wells presented (1654) ''for denying the college to 
be any ordinance of God, and therefore it was not his 
judgment to give any thing to it, when there was some- 
thing demanded of him for it." 

"4 Month 24 : 1661 A Jewry impanelled to inquier 
of the death of Thomas Latimer which lived with John 
Chater of Wells and ran away from him this month and 
was found drownded in Saco river, as followeth : A list of 
the jury mens names, Mr. T. Williams, H. Waddocke, 
John Sparke, R. Trustrum, John Bowden, Freegrace 
Norton, N. Buly, J. Gibbines, W. Scadlock, William 
Kirkeet, Edward Andrews, Nickolas Egcome, Edward 
Clarke, Jacob Wormwood. Thayr verdick is he was 
accidentally drowned through his owne defalk, taken be- 
fore me Rob. Booth." 

"March 15, 1665-6. At a townemeeting Thomas Har- 
ries is admitted into this towne to be an inhabytant." An 
order was passed at this time imposing a fine of 5s. on e- 
very 'housekeeper* who shall absent himself from towne- 
meeting. 

"March 21 : 1666 : 67 At a towne meeting the ma- 
ior parte act as foloweth Captaine Bryon Pendleton chosen 
Burgess to act for the towne in the general! Court hi 
Aprill next." 



AND BIDDEFORD. MQQ 

^'Aprill 12 : 1667 : (same year as above) At a lowne 
meeting the inhabitants being freeholders act as foloweth : 
First the laws made at the Generall Assembly were read 
2 Three men are chosen for judges of small causes un- 
der ten pound, namly Captaine Bryan Pendleton Ralph 
Trustram Henry Waddock and sworne in the presence 
of the meeting. 3 James Gibbins chosen for the master 
of the magasin. 4 Robert Booth chosen Clarke of 
writs and sworn in he. 5 It is voated that a sum of 
twelve pounds be colected too buy powder and shott and 
other things for the trayne band 6 Ralph Trustrum 
Thomas Rogers and Roger Hill are appoynted to bring 
in the minister's stipend this next yeare 1667. 

"August 27, 1667. First — James Harman is delt with 
about misusing his daughter Jane he promiseth not to 
strike hir any more and his wife Sara promiseth the 
townsmen that she will take charg of her daughter Jane 
for the time to come whereupon the townesmen are will- 
ing to leave her to them and ther keeping for present upon 
further tryall. Rob : Booth towne Clarke. 

"September, 1668. The townesmen being met at the 
meetinghouse do acte as follows Maior Bryan Pendleton 
and the selectmen namely Major Wm Phillips Henry 
Waddock and Richard Coman these having dealt with 
James Harman about his cruill usage of his daughter 
Jane : they make this conclusion : by reason of a former 
order that was made by the townesmen in Aug. 27, 1667 
she shall be kept with good wife Gibbins if hir husband 
consent till he and his wife have some discourse about it 
with the selectmen. Attest R. Booth. 

"1669. The maior pan of this meeting voat that a 
rate shall be made towards maintaineing old goodman 
Sparke by the selectmen with all convenient speed. 

, "August 1670. At a townemeeting the inhabitants 
with the townsmen (forbid) Abram Radner his abideing in 
this towne. 2 Ralph Trustrum is ordered to give war- 
ning to William N not to be an inhabitant. 3 Roger 
Hill is to give warning to Mr. Cook on the same 4 It 
is ordered that some of the selectmen to speak to Maior 
Phillips to be securytie for the smith." The original of 
this record is somewhat torn. 
10* 



110 HISTORY OF SACO 

"Octo. 1670. The selectmen of Saco this day met 
and examined all the demands of Rob. Booth and upon 
agreement between them and Rob. Booth it is agreed 
that Rob. Booth shall have in satisfacksion for -all de- 
mands to this day ten pound 3s. 5d. to bee pay^ in the- 
overplush in the county Rate and the last Rate made for 
the minister : toward which he has receved from Ralph 
Trustrum this day four pounds : from John Presbury out 
of his rate 2-2 ; from Henry Browne for his fines 1-10. 

**Nov. 10. 1672. At a general townemeeting James 
Gibbins senior is chosen selecktman in roome of Robert 
Booth deceased. It is agreed by the hole towne the 
selecktmen shall forthwith procure a good new Book for 
the towne Records and procure all the former ackts and 
records formerly recorded with Alfabet and pages trans- 
scribed. It is the request of the hole towne to Brian 
.Pendleton to take care of the towne Book and supplie in 
roome of a towne clerck for one hole year following this 
time except hindered by the providence of God." The 
above record is signed by Maj. Pendleton, and was doubt- 
Jess written by him. The same year ; 'Theare is due to 
Thomas Rogers for goinge Comitioner to York fiveteene 
shillings, to Ensine Gibbings and John Presbery for kill- 
inge two woolves forty shillings.' 

"31 of Januarye 1672-3. The selecktmen doth order 
the constable to gather and colleckt in from the inhabi-s 
tants of this towne acordinge to the invitory formerly 
made this yeare one penny farthing on the pownd and the 
pole nK>ny acordinge to the law, and from Mr. William 
Downe twenty shillings more." We find no other notice 
of Mr. Downe, either in the townhook or elsewhere. 
In October, *it was ordered that there should bee a letter 
sent to Mr. Monjoy (of Falmouth j to susspend the pri- 
son Rate untill the County Court in July 74.' A prison 
was built at Falmouth about that time. 



AND BIDDEFORI». IH 



CHAPTER IX. 



After a lapse of two centuries it can scarcely be ex- 
pected that much should be known of the private history 
of the early planters. Mr. Lewis, the associate of Capt. 
Bonyihon in the eastern patent, was unquestionably a 
gentleman of more than ordinary standing. He was the 
attorney of the Council of Plymouth for giving posses- 
sion of the Hilton patent at Pascataqua, a trust which he 
executed in 1631.* He had visited New England pre- 
viously to the year 1630, for the patent was granted to 
him and Bonython partly "in consideration that Thomas 
Lewis, Gentleman, had already been at the charge to 
transport himself and others to take a view of N. Eng- 
land in America for the bettering of his experience in 
advancing of a plantation.^ We have seen that he com- 
menced the settlement on the eastern side of the river, 
now Saco. one year after Mr. Vines took possession of 
the opposite shore, viz. in 1631. The last notice we 
have of him before his decease, is in 1637. He died 
not long after, for it was ordered by the court of 1640^ 
that 'Francis Robinson executor of the last will and testa- 
ment of Thomas Lewis, late of this plantation, deceased, 
upon the delivery of the goods and chattels now in his 
custody belonging ta the said testator, unto his creditors, 
shall be then alk>wed of such reasonable charges as have 
been by him expended upon two of the children of the 
said testator since his death." 

Judith, one of the children, married James Gibbins, a 
planter, about 1647. Another probably married Robert 
Haywood, who lived at Barbadoes. This person had a 
joint title with Gibbins to the lands late belonging to Mr. 
Lewis, and is styled brother in law by the former in sever- 
al deeds. In one of these, Haywood's order is stated 
to bear date Barbadoes, January 10, 1660. He could 
have no other title to those lands conjointly with Mr. Gib- 
bins, than arose from the right of Lewis. Gibbins be- 

*Balknap. Hist.N.H.i.20, 



112 . HISTORY OF SACO 

came eventually sole proprietor of the moiety of the pa-* 
tent belonging to Mr. Lewis. He came to Saco about 
1642, when we first hear of him as the purchaser of 
Henry Boade's estate at Winter Harbor. The name of 
Mr. Gibbins is of frequent occurrence in the town records 
until 1 683. In that year he gave the town ten acres of ' 
upland and six acres of marsh for the minister. He 
afterwards removed to Kiitery, where in 1690, he execu- 
ted a conveyance of 100 acres of land in Saco, to his 
daughter Elizabeth, 'grandchild to Thomas Lewis, the 
original patentee.' The children of James and Judith 
Gibbins were eight in number, viz. James, Elizabeth, 
Thomas, Charity, Rebecca, (diea in infancy,) Rachel, 
Hester, and Anthony. James Gibbins, jr. was one of 
the selectmen 1674. Thomas, in the deed of 1690, 
mentioned above, is styled by Mr. Gibbins 'his son and 
heir.' Elizabeth married John Sharp 1667. She was 
then at the age of 1 5. Rachel married Robert Edge- 
comb. She died 1724 aged sixty three; her husband 
died 1730 in the seventy fourth year of his age. Their 
graves are on Rendezvous-point. He was probably a 
son of Nicholas Edgecomb, who removed from Blue- 
point to this town 1660. John, one of the selectmen 
1686, was doubtless another son of Nicholas. 

This family is supposed to be allied to a noble stock 
in England. In 1637, Sir Richard Edgecomb received 
an extensive grant of land from Sir F. Gorges, situated 
between Sagadehock river and Casco bay. It is suppos- 
ed by Sullivan that Saco river was intended, but this is 
very improbable ; the territory east of Casco bay, which 
was the subject of no former grant, was more plausibly 
fixed upon by the heirs of Sir Richard, who himself paid 
no attention to the grant. The first attempt to urge this 
claim was made 1718 by John Edgecomb, agent for a 
Sir Richard. This was, perhaps, our townsman already 
mentioned or his son. There is a tradition that one of 
the Saco Edgecombs went to England by invitation from i 
his noble relatives early in the last century. In 1756, 
the claim to this tract was revived by Lord Edgecomb, 
who empowered Sir W. Pepperell, and after his death, 
Mr. Sparhawk, to recover it for him, but other titles had i 



AND BIDDEFORD. 113 

become too well established in that quarter, and his lord- 
ship lost his case.* The title of Lord Edgecomb of 
Mount Edgecomb, is still borne by one of this family. 

The Gibbins estate was divided among the heirs in 
1730 ; it was then comparatively small, large tracts hav- 
ing been disposed of by Mr. Gibbins, as will be noticed 
in another place. There were four sets of heirs: 1. 
The heirs of Elizabeth Sharp, the oldest daughter of Mr. 
Gibbins. Her son, Capt. John Sharp, was one of them. 

2. The heirs of Rachel Edgecomb viz. her sons Robert and 
Thomas; and her daughters, Judith, the wife of Abra- 
ham Townsend, and Mary, the wife of David Young. 

3. Hannah Mace. This was a Kittery name, w here the 
mother of Hannah, a daughter of Gibbins, probably lived. 

4. Patience Annable and Rebecca Wakefield, grand 
daughters doubtless of Mr. Gibbins ; but which of his 
children they represented we are not informed. Mr. 
Thomas Edgecomb, of the fifth descent from Thomas 
Lewis, the original patentee, at present occupies a part 
of the Gibbins estate, which has continued in the uninter- 
rupted possession of this family. 

Capt. Richard Bonython was pmbably settled on his 
g;rant as early as his associate, Mr. Lewis. f Our first no- 
tice of his presence here, however, is in the record of 
the Commissioners' court 1636, holden at his house. He 
was appointed by Sir F. Gorges one of the Counsellors 
for the government of the Province in 1640. The last 
court under that authority sat at Wells 1646, when Capt. 
Bonython was present. The latest transaction in which 
we find him engaged, is the conveyance of a piece of 
land July 14, 1647. His death probably occurred not 
long after, certainly before the year 1653 ; for he is not 
enumerated among the inhabitants of East Saco, in a list 
taken at that time, which contains the name of his son.j; 
Capt. Bonython was, doubtless, strongly opposed to the 
claims of Rigby, but we have met with no evidence that 
he took an active part in the discussions growing out of 
them. He seems to have sustained a character for gravi- 



*Sulliyan. 126. ISee Appendix D. tMass. Records. 



!f4 HISTORY OF SACO 

ty of deportment, and was evidently treated with greaf 
respect by his associates in office. He was rarely, iiF 
ever, a party in any action of whatever kind, but constant 
in the performance of his duties as a magistrate ; we even 
find him entering a complaint against his own son, for 
threatening violence to Mr. Vines. At the same terni 
the court ordered ''that Jane Shaw, wife of Edw. Shawf 
shall be whipped at the next quarter court holden at Saco, 
for abusing Capt. Bonython in slanderous and unreverend 
speeches." Edward recognized in the sum of £50 "to 
bring his wife to abide the censure of the court." Thd 
children of Capt. Bonython were a son and two daugh4 
ters ; born in England. 

John, the son, bore a character the reverse of that of 
his father. His litigious disposition has already appeared 
in our extracts from the court records. In 1645, Capt. 
Bonython said in open court, "that he knew wherever 
his son met Mr. Richard Vines he would be revenged 
on him, for he had not forgotten the old quarrel." He 
did not appear to answer to the charge, and the court pro- 
ceeded to pass the following decree ; "Whereas J. Bony- 
thon of Saco, in the Province of Maine, hath been sutn- 
moned divers times in his Majesty's name to appear at 
our courts, and hath refused, threatening to kill and slay 
any persons that should lay hands on him ; vAhereupon 
the law hath had its due proceeding to an outlawry, and 
divers judgments, executions and warrants of good be- 
haviour : VV^e, therefore, at a General Court assembled,' 
adjudge the said John Bonython outlawed and incapable 
of any of his Majesty's laws, and proclaim h'm a rebel." 
It was then ordered ''that if Mr. John Bonython he taken, 
that he be forthwith sent to Boston, to answer such things 
as shall then be brouidit against him." His conten^pi of 
the authoi'ity of the province was referred to the arbitra- • 
tion of that government. His iaiher Vv'as a member of 
the provincial coint. 

Under the government of Mass., John was still more 
violent ; by whom, we have seen, he was again outlawed, 
and a price set upon his head. This rigorous procee- 
ding brought liim to terms. The town book, in which his 



AND BIDDEFORD. US 

name is rarely found, contains the following record : "July 

11, 1665. At a townmeeting, the justice of the peace 

and the freeholders being nnet together, a warrant is sent 

to Mr. John Bonvthon to come and take his oath to be 

constable, as he was chosen : but he refused, and is fined 

4/." R. Booth was then chosen in his place. This 

was soon after the arrival of the King's commissioners in 

the province. It appears, therefore, that he attempted to 

act independently of all aulhority ; hence doubtless he 

ginned the burlesque title of 'S.igamore of Saco,' which 

has come down to us in the couplet, said to have been in^ 

scribed on his grave stone : 

"Here lies Bonython, the Sagamore of Saco; 7^ 

He lived a rogue and died a knave and went to Hobomocko.*^^ 

His death occurred about 1684 ; an order of the court 
in that year (continues his wife in the possession of her late 
husband's property. He was supposed at a subsequent 
period to have been destroyed by the Indians, as appears 
from the following record in the Book of Claims to eastern 
lands, opened by order of government at Boston 1718: 
"Peter Weare, of Hampton claiins a ti ict of land contain- 
ing 120 acres on the eastern side of Saco river, part of 
that granted to Richard Bonython in )629, and by him 
granted to his son John, who was killed by the Indian 
enemy — said Weare hou2;htof his son and heir by deed." 
In the registry of deeds we find, that "Richard Bonython, 
formerly apprentice to Jas. Weymouth of Newcastle, N. 
H. cordwainer, son and heir to John Bonython of Saco, 
sold in 1713 to Lieut. Peter Weare of Hampton, a tract 
of six score acres on the north east side of Saco river in 
the patent granted to his honored grandfather, Mr. R. 
bonython and T. Lewis." 

This Richard, however, was not a son, but a grandson 
of John Bonython, senior. At the time of the death of the 
latter, there was peace with the Indians ; and as he was 
then far advanced in years, it is more probable that he 

' *Hobomocko — the evil spirit of the Indians. Sullivan, p. 3(58, sup- 
poses that the lines were intended for Capt. Richard Bonython by 
his political enemies ; but the moderate character of the patentee i« 
inconsistent with this supposition. Their appUcation to his son is 

I much more probable. 



116 HISTORY OP 9ACd 

died in the course of nature. In May, 1683, when near 
the close of his life, John gave to the town *20 acres of 
upland for the minister,' as if to atone for his past errors. 
He was buried at his own request near the river on the > 
line separating one division of his estate from that of Gib- ■ 
bins. A man who lives near the spot, informs us that I 
having had frequent occasion to pass it when a boy, the i 
path from a landing place on the river leading in that di- 
rection, he was often told that the 'governor of Saco' lay 
buried there. Tlie children of John Bonython were 
John, Thomas, Gabriel, William, Winifred, and Eleanor. 
Jolm, the oldest, was born 1654 ; chosen one of the 
selectmen 1685 ; and four years after, removed to New- 
castle, N. H. where he was living 1694. It is probable i 
he afterwards fell by the hands of the Indians. Richard, 
the cordwainer, who sold to Weare, was unquestionably 
his son. This Richard had a sister, the wife of John 
Collins. The other sons of the 'Sagamore' left no heirs, , 
except collateral ones. Winifred, the oldest daughter, , 
married Robert Nicholson, or Nichols : Eleanor married l 
a Churchwell. A son of the former, living at Marble- • 
head, sold his mother's right in her father's estate to Ro- 
bert and Thomas Edgecomb, 1729. The name of Bony- 
thon has long been obsolete in this quarter, and probably 
in New England. 

The daughters of Capt. Bonython became the wives ' 
of Richard Foxwell and Richard Gumming. Mr. Fox- 
well was one of the first and most respectable planters in i 
this vicinity. He settled at Blue-point, on the south- 
western side of Scarboro' river in 1636, when thirty two 
years of age.* George Foxwell, his nephew, who died I 
in Virginia, was from the city of Exeter, in Devonshire, , 
England, and it is quite probable that Richard was from i 
the same place, or its neighborhood. He lived forty 
years on his estate at Blue-point, without apparently- 
mingling in the political disputes of that period. He was : 



*There was a person of the same name at Scituate 1634, a mer- 
chant; (Farmer's Register;) but as our planter married in England, 
it is probable that he came out with his father in law with the view 
of settling on his patent, and hence it is unlikely he should have gone 
Co Scituate. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 117 

a member of the General Assembly of Lygonia in 1648, 
being of the committee to whom was referred Mr. Jor- 
dan's petition. But his chief attention was given to his 
plantation, which became a valuable legacy to his heirs. 
He died about the close of 1676, or early in the succeed- 
ing year. Administration on his estate was granted to his 
son Philip Foxwell 1677; Joseph Curtis and Richard 
Rogers afterwards administered. 

The children of Mr. Foxwell, were three sons and 
five daughters. Richard jr., probably the oldest son, was 
living 1664 ; we have no further account of him. John 
married a daughter of Richard Gumming ; he died young, 
leaving one son, Nathaniel, who removed to York. De- 
borah, daughter of Nathaniel, married William Corbain 
of Boston, and as the sole heiress of her father and grand- 
father, conveyed all her right in the estate of Richard 
Foxwell, to William Pepperell jr,, afterwards Sir William, 
in 1729. 

Philip Foxwell, the other son, was one of the select- 
men of Scarboro' in 1681. In the subsequent dispersion 
of the inhabitants of that town by the Indians, Philip re- 
moved to Kittery, where he died, apparently without 
heirs, in 1690. 

Of the daughters, Esther married Thomas Rogers of 
Goose-fair, in 1657. Mr. Rogers was here as early as 
1638, when we find him attesting a deed. He was pro- 
bably quite young at that time, as his name does not 
occur again until 1653. He lived on the seashore, near 
the mouth of Goose-fair brook, in the western part of 
what is now called Old Orchard. A northwest line divi- 
ding the patent ol Lewis and Bonython into two equal por- 
tions, was run 1681 ; which the commissioners began at 
^'Rogers' garden." The house of Mr. Rogers was de- 
stroyed by the Indians 1676, when he removed to Kittery, 
and soon after died. An inventory of his estate was ta- 
ken the following year. He had two sons, Richard and 
John. The former, purchased from Gibbiny 1687 a tract 
of about half a mile square situated between Goose-fair 
brook and the middle line of the patent. He afterwards 
removed to Kitteiy. His son Richard jr. gave this 
piece of land to Pairick Googins 1737. Patrick came 
II 



118 HISTORY OF SACO 

over from Ireland at an early age, and was in the service 
of Pepperell at Kittery, by whose influence, it is said, he 
obtained a daughter of R. Rogers, (grandson of Thomas,) 
in marriage. He settled on the estate given him by his 
father in law, where he died 1783, aged 84 years. Pat- 
rick left six sons, one of whom is now living at an advan- 
ced age. Mr. Rogers Googins, a grandson of Patrick, 
and some others of this family, now possess and improve 
a part of the old estate. 

Lucretia Foxwell married James Robinson of Blue- 
point. On the breaking out of the Indian war, they re- 
moved to New Castle, N. H. and there ended their days. 
They left four children, daughters, three of whom were 
married. 

Susannah Foxwell married an Austin. Mary, another 
daughter, married George Norton, of York. Sarah Fox- 
well married Joseph Curtis of Kittery, 1678. Their 
daughter Eunice was born Dec. 23, 1698. She mar- 
ried Richard Cutts of Kittery, Octo. 20, 1720. Their 
children were seven sons and three daughters, viz. Sa- 
rah, Robert, Joseph, Samuel, Edward, Foxwell Curtis, 
Richard, Mary, Thomas, and Eunice. Thomas, late 
Col. Cutis of Saco, tlie ninth of these children, was born 
April 5, 1736. Edward, the fifth, late Judge of the C. C. 
Pleas, was born 1728. The mother, a grand daughter of 
Richard Foxwell, died March 30, 1795, at the great 
age of ninety six years.* 

The second daughter of Capt. Richard Bonython 
was married to Richard Cumming before 1647. Mr. 



*Kitlery Records. Jocelyn, in the account of his first VoyagO 
1638, relates the following story as "told by Mr. Foxwell now living 
in the Province of Maine. Having been to the eastward in a shal- 
lop, on his return he was overtaken by the night, and fearing to land 
on the barbarous shore, put off a little further to sea. About mid- 
night they were awakened by a loud voice from the shore calling 
Foxwell, Foxwell! corne ashore! three times ; upon the sands they 
saw a great fire, and men and women hand in hand dancing round a- 
bout it in a ring. After an hnnr or two they vanished, and as soon as 
the day appeared, Foxwell put into a small cove, and traced along the 
shore where he found the footing of men, women and children shod 
with shoes, and an infinite number of brands' ends thrown up by the 
water ; but neither English nor Indians could he meet with on the 
shore nor in the woods. 'There are many stranger things in the 
World than are to be seen between London and Stanes'." p. 24. 



AND BIDDEFORD. ] 19 

Cumming first settled on the western side of the river, 
but after the death of liis father in law, he removed to the 
eastern part of his patent, near Little river. In 1672, a 
committee was appointed by the town "to meet the Black- 
i point men at the river next Richard Gomming's, to run 
the line between them and us." Mr. Cummings Banks, 
one of his descendants, now lives at the same place. 
The name of Richard Cumming, or Cummin, occurs 
very often in the town records until 1674; he died soon 
after. An inventory of his estate was taken 1676. The 
administrators were Thomas Cumming and John Har- 
mon. The former did not long survive his father. 
I Elizabeth the only daughter of R. Cumming married 
[John Foxwell, her cousin ; after his death John Harmon, 
I previously to 1680. By this marriage Mr. Harmon be- 
came sole heir to that division of the patent which fell to 
the wife of Cummings. The daughter of Mr. Harmon, 
an only child, married Joseph Banks of York, to which 
i place Harmon removed before 1690. Banks thus ac- 
quired Harmon's right, but, in 1714, conveyed one-half 
of it to Peter Weare and others. He also sold one quar- 
ter to Caleb Preble of York, who afterwards transferred 
it to Jas. and Joseph Brown of Newbury, 1717. Sam- 
i uel Banks, a son of Joseph, settled at Old Orchard on 
a part of the Cummings estate, about 1735, where his 
descendants now live. 

A brief notice of the other early planters will conclude 
this chapter. The first name in the book of Rates after 
I the patentees, is that of Henry Boade. This gendeman 
settled at Winter Harbor before 1636, but six years after 
he removed to Wells, where he was associated with Rev. 
J. Wheelwright and E. Rishworth, in a cotnmission from 
Sir F. Gorges to lay out and allot that township, extend- 
ing from Ogunquit river to Kennebunk river, now form- 
: ing the tovi^ns of Wells and Kennebunk. The small estate 
left by Mr. Boade at Winter Harbor, was transferred by 
Mr. Vines to Thomas Mills, fisherman, and James Gib- 
:bins planter, in 1642. In 1653, he was appointed first 
i commissioner or justice of Wells. His death took place 
four years after. The executors of his will were "his 
loving cousins, Mr. John Winthrop, Esq. and Rev.Timo- 
^ thy Dalton, minister of Hampton." 



120 HISTORY OF SACe 

John Wadlovv, or Wadleigh. also removed to Wells be- 
fore 1650. An Indian Sagamore, named Thomas Chabi- 
nocke, devised to Wadleigh 'all his title and interest of 
Nampscascoke', comprising the greater part of Wells ; 
with a condition that he should allow one bushel of In- 
dian corn annually to the 'old Webb,' his mother, as long 
as she lived. The extent of the tract was from the sea 
as far up as 'the great falls on Cape Porpoise (Mousum) 
river', and from Negunket to Kennebunk river. The 
Sagamore seems to have died 1649, in which year Wad- 
leigh took legal possession of his lands. Ten years after, 
John Wadleigh and his son Robert conveyed the portion 
between Cape Porpoise and Kennebunk rivers, with 
several reservations, to Daniel Eppes of Ipswich. Mr. 
Eppes was a son in law of Samuel Symonds, deputy- 
governor of Mass. Bay.* William Symonds, a son of 
the deputy-governor, settled at Wells, probably on the 
lands purchased by Mr. Eppes. Under the jurisdiction 
of Mass., Indian titles were held valid where previous 
grants had not been made. A small part only of the 
township of Wells had been taken up previously to the 
date of Chabinocke's will. John Wadleigh was one of 
the selectmen of Wells 1653. He died 1671. His will 
contains the bequest of 'a pair of oxen called Sparke and 
Berry,' to his daughter Mary Mills. The practice of giv- 
ing names to working cattle, said to be peculiar to the 
eastern farmers, was, it seems, of early introduction. 
The same custom doubtless prevails in that part of Eng- 
land from which our planters came. 

Thomas Williams, who is usually dignified with the title 
of Mr. in the town book, was a leading townsman for 
many years. The following record is dated 29 June, 
1674 : "This day Mr. Williams did make his address to 
the town for 14 pounds due to him for dieting the minis- 
ter of the towne : and it is ordered and consented to by 
the whole town that for the time during his or bis wife's 
life, he is freed from all town, Commonwealth or Ecclesi- 
astical rates." The same year, at an October meeting, 
the record savs : "The town hath cleared Mr. Thomas 



^Farmer's Genealogical Register. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 121 

Williams from all his rate that is behind hand and so for- 
ward." Also, "the town hath ordered that there shall be 
two men appointed to look into Mr. Williams' estate to 
see if he shall have maintenances," We have not met 
with his name after this date : he had then been an in- 
habitant at least forty years. Having served the town 
long and faithfully in several responsible offices, he was 
at last, when past service, necessitated to apply for assis- 
tance, as it appears from the foregoing record. He seems 
to have had no family. Beside his brother Richard, who 
died 1635, as mentioned in a former chapter, no other 
person of this name is found among our inhabitants in that 
century. 

Robert Sanky, provost-marshal 1640, died at Winter 
Harbor before 1642. His land adjoined that of Mr. 
Williams, as, in an action of trespass brought by the lat- 
ter against Ferdinand Grant, who being employed to cut 
his hay, had set fire to it, Mr. Sankey joined for the in- 
jury done his own hay and grass. Mr. Joseph Bowles 
afterwards owned Sankey's estate, which he sold in 1659, 
being then resident at Wells, to John Bowden. The fees 
of the provost-marshal, or sheriff, were 2s. for serving a 
warrant in Saco, and 4s. for every day employed out of 
the town. The under-marshal, or deputy, received a 
salary of 4Z. per annum. 

Theophilus Davis, styled *officer for this place' in the 
records of 1636, was doubtless constable of Saco that 
year. This is all we know of him. We are almost 
equally in the dark respecting the next planter on the list, 
George Frost. He appears on a jury 1640, and perhaps 
died soon after. Clement Greenway has also eluded our 
enquiries after 1637. 

John Parker probably removed to Kennebec beyond 
the jurisdiction of Gorges, where a person of this name 
is found purchasing from the Indians the large and valua- 
ble island, now a part of Georgetown, in 1650. His de- 
scendants have ever retained possession of parts of that 
island under the Indian title.* There was also a John 

*1 Mass. Hist. Coll. i. 252, 
11* 



122 HISTORY OP SACO 

Parker at York 1652, but he was probably a late c omet 
as his name is not found in the early court records. 

John Smith has been noticed in a former part of our 
inquiries. His lease of 100 acres from Mr. Vines, on an 
annual rent of 5s. bears date 1642. Eight years after, 
he assigned this lease to N. Buly, who was to enter on 
the property 1652, and to allow Smith one room in the 
house for two years after entrance. The Mass. com- 
missioners 1654, passed the following order. "The com- 
missioners being informed that John Smith of Saco is ne- 
cessarily detained from coming to yield subjection to 
the government, and that it is his desire to subject him- 
self to the government, they do grant that on his ac- 
knowledgement of subjection to this government any two 
of the town commissioners at Saco may, and hereby have 
liberty to give him the oath of freeman." Sullivan re- 
marks on the above : "John Smith was one of the gran- 
tees of the Plough Patent, and did not personally sub- 
mit ; but the Commissioners readily received his excuse 
of ill health, and took his submission by proxy." The 
inconvenience of going to Wells for the purpose of ac- 
knowledging the Mass. jurisdiction, prevented a number 
of the inhabitants beside Smith, from personally appear- 
ing there, as we have already seen. This circumstance 
is, therefore, no argument in favor of his being a grantee 
of the Plough Patent. Had Smith really been one of 
the Plough Company, it is hardly probable he would 
have taken a small lease at Winter Harbor, when entitled 
to at least a township in right of that patent. He, how- I 
ever, held the office of marshal under the jurisdiction of. j 
Lygonia, as it appears from his deposition given at the ' 
late date 23 June, 1685: "Testimony of John Smith 
of Saco, aged about 73 years, marshal under Mr. G. 
Cleaves,* who about forty years ago carried on Col. I 
Rigby's authority in this Province," &,c. This is the last 
notice of Mr. Smith that we have found in the records of j 
that period. He had then outlived all the first planters, 
with the exception, perhaps, of Mr. Watts. 



•This name is usually spelt Cleves, or Cleeve, in the oldest records : 
bat vre have adopted the modern orthography. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 123 

Samuel Andrews died before 1638. Mr. Vines con- 
firmed to his widow Jane 100 acres near Scadlock's land, 
where her husband built a house and enclosed four acres. 
She afterwards married Mr. Arthur Mack worth of Casco, 
a gentleman of some note. Sarah, her daughter, married 
Abraham Adams of Casco. Mr. Francis Neale, rep- 
resentative of Falmouth 1670, married another daughter. 
Edward Andrews, freeman 1653, was perhaps a son of 
Samuel ; he died 1668. 

William Scadlock, a worthy planter, settled on the wes- 
tern side of Little river, and when the line was run be- 
tween Saco and Cape Porpus 1659, his house was left 
in the latter town, the river being made the dividing line. 
Mr. Scadlock was appointed clerk of the writs or town 
clerk by the Commissioners 1653, but the existing re- 
cords of that year are signed by the selectmen. There 
were others doubtless, now lost. Scadlock made his 
will Jan. 7, 1662, and probably died soon after. His 
personal property amounting to ilOO, and his real estate, 
which was of considerable value, he gave to his wife ; to 
his children he made small bequests, as set forth in the 
following extracts : "I bequeath my bible unto my son 
William. I bequeath unto my son John 3 yards of 
broadcloth, he upon that consideration to buy 3 yds. and a 
half of good kersey of lOs. per yard for a suit for my son 
Samuel, and silk and buttons unto both : 1 bequeath unto 
my daughter Rebecca my worsted stockings. I bequeath 
unto my son William my new hat, he buying Samuel a- 
nother of 10 or 12s. price. I bequeath unto my daugh- 
ter Susanna Mr. Cotton's work upon the new covenant 
of grace. I bequeath a book entuled Meat out of the 
Eater, to my son William ; and to my son John 1 bequeath 
I a book concerning Justifying Faith ; and the Practice of 
piety to Rebecca : and to my daughter Susahna a Suck- 
ing Calf called Trubb.* 1 bequeath unto my daugh- 
ter Sara one yard of Holland : and to the end that all 
things be performed according to my mind and will, 1 
hereby make, constitute and appoint my loving wife Ell- 

*The quaint title of some puritanical work. 



124 HISTOHY OF 3AC0 

nor my executrix, and my son William executor, unto all 
which I set my hand and heart." Of the sons, William 
died 1664, and Major P<3adleton administered on his 
estate ; John died the same year. Samuel was living 
1719 at York, seventy three years old. William jr. ap- 
pears to have left children; a son William, born 1661 ; 
and a daughter Anne, married to John Carter 1666. 
The family name is now extinct in this quarter, so far as 
we can learn ; but the falls on Little river near the house 
of Mr. Jereiniah Bettes, are still called Scadlock's falls 
by the inhabitants in that vicinity. 

A Robert Morgan was an inhabitant at Sagadehock 
1665 ;* but we are unable to identify him with certainty 
as the planter of 1636. 

Henry Warwick, or Waddock ; the former orthogra- 
phy is found only in the Court Records, and in legal in- 
struments. He was long an active and useful inhabitant 
of the town ; his house was at the lower ferry, on the 
main road at that period from Wells to Casco, where he 
died about 1673. His children were a son and two 
daughters ; the former, John, is mentioned among the 
principal townsmen 1674; he removed a (e\v years after 
to Black-point. Joan, one of the daughters, married 
John Helson 1658; their son, Ephraim, was born 1667* 
The other daughter married John Tenny of Black-point ; 
they, together with goodwife Jane, the widow of the old 
planter, were living at Gloucester Mass. 1690. 

Richard Hitchcock lived at Winter Harbor, near the 
point on the north side of the Pool, still called by his name. 
He was buried 22 June, 1671. His son Thomas, a youth, 
died the same year. His other children, born 1653-64, 
were Jerusha, Lydia, Rebecca, Ann and Margaret, who 
with his wife survived him. 

Thomas Page was a juror 1640, after which we have 
not met with his name. Sylvester Page was in the fami- 
ly of Mr. Williams 1652. George Page married Mary 
Edgecomb, probably a daughter of Nicholas, 1664 ; he 
was one of the selectmen 1683, and after. Christopher 
Page is mentioned 1667. These were probably sons of 

♦Sullivan. 287. 



AKi) BtDDEFORDk 12^ 

Thomas Page, who we suppose died before his children 
were of age^ The name is siill among us. 

Ambrose Berry was a respectable inhabitant for many 
years* The situation of his house, on the northern limit 
of the lands left at the town's disposal by the Commis- 
sioners 1659, is not precisely known at the present time. 
He was buried at Winter Harbor May 3, 1661 . His son 
Ambrose married Ann Buly 1653. The families of this 
name now in our townsj ai'e unquestionably descended 
from him. 

Mr. Henry Watts settled at Blue-point near Mr. Fox- 
well, 1636, where he was living 1684 over eighty years 
of age. He was a member of the Assembly of Lygonia 
]64S. His children appear to have settled at Falmoulhj 
wliere we find John Watts 1721.^ 

Beside the planters named in the Book of Rates, a 
few other names occur as early as 1636. Of these several 
have been mentioned as soon after settled at Casco. 
George Jewell, mariner, was drowned in Boston harbor 
1638.f Stephen Batson was living at Cape Porpoise 
1653. Margery, daughter of Stephen and Mary Bat- 
son, was bound to Capt. Bonython 1636. John Batson 
married Elizabeth Saunders 1660. James Cole was an 
inhabitant at Kennebec 1654. J John Cole of Saco, 
died 1661 ; perhaps a son of Thomas, who had occupi- 
ed the estate leased to West. 

John West first appears 1638 ; he removed to Wells 
about 1659, where he died four years after. He ap- 
pointed William Cole of Wells trustee of his estate for 
the use of his daughter's children, the wife of Thomas 
Haley ; the property to be divided among them three 
years after his (West's) death. The names of the chil- 
dren were Ann, Lydia, Samuel and Thomas. Mr. Haley 
lived on the western side of the river opposite Waddock. 
His descendants are numerous. 

Morgan Howell has been named among the colonists 
who came out with Mr. Vines. He was engaged in a 



*Judg;e Samuel Watts of Chelsea, Mass, mentioned by Mr. Far- 
mer, Geneal. Register, in connection with the name of our planter, 
came to New England early in the last century. Family tfaditio|]|, 
tWinthrop. Jour. i. 244. ^Hazard, i. 5i?5, 



]26 HISTORY OF SACO 

suit with Scadlock in the court of 1637. A few years 
after (1643) he is described as of Cape Porpoise, in a 
deed of 100 acres of land from Gorges.* He was pro- 
bably settled there in the former year, in the neighbor- 
hood of Scadlock. When the inhabitants of Cape Por- 
poise, now Kennebunk-port, submitted to Mass. 1653, 
the Commissioners reported that "Morgan Howell did 
acknowledge himself bound in fifty pounds to the trea- 
surer of the county, that he will prosecute his action 
against John Baker at the next county court.*" The set- 
tlement on Cape Porpoise was probably made about the 
same time as at Winter Harbor ; in 1632, a trader named 
Jenkins, is said by Winthrop to have removed thither 
from Dorchester, Mass. The Cape presented great ad- 
vantages for fishermen, many of whom made it a place of 
resort, and perhaps of abode as early, probably, as any 
other point of the coast. Howell and Scadlock were with- 
out doubt the first planters who settled within the town- 
ship. 

We have thus noticed all the original colonists whose 
names have occurred in the course of our inquiries. There 
were without doubt many others, but owing to the imper- 
fect state of the early records, their names cannot now 
be recalled. The length of years to which most of them 
attained, at the place of their first settlement, must have 
struck our readers, and is indeed remaikable when con- 
tj-asted with the opposite fact in the history of the other 
New England colonies. A distinguished antiquarian has 
remarked that *'in no instance, in the whole Atlantic coast 
of this Union, will five men, on any spot at the first open- 
ing of the country, be found on the same spot ten years 
after. "f The writer was unacquainted with the settle- 
ments in this quarter. 



•Sullivan 229, dates the earliest grant atCape Porpoise 1648. 
^Savage. Winthrop. Jour, i- Appendix. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 127 



CHAPTER X. 



After the departure of Mr. Jenner there appears to 
have been no regular minister of the puritan faith in this 
vicinity for several years. The ministrations of Mr. Jor- 
dan were probably continued until the province came un- 
der the authority of Massachusetts, and for some time 
..after, as in 1660 an order was passed by the Gen. Court 
forbidding him to baptize children, and requiring his ap- 
pearance before them to answer for having performed that 
christian rite. The King's Commissioners in their report 
to the English government respecting N. England, 1667, 
refer to the unworthy treatment of him by the Mass. au- 
thorities : "They did imprison and barbarously use Mr. 
Jordan for baptizing children, as himself complained in 
: his petition to the Commissioners."* In the mean time, 
I George Barlow seems to have annoyed some of his 
; townsmen by the exercise of his gifts as a preacher. 
I This man was a follower of Rev. John Wheelwright, a 
distinguished clergyman who was banished from Mass. 
I on account of a difference of opinion with the leading 
I members of the Colony on a point of doctrine. Mr. 
' Wheelwright was an antinomian, and taught that an in- 
ward assurance, or 'the evidence of the Spirit,' furnished 
the only proper criterion of the christian character. His 
opponents contended that the sanctification of the heart 
I and life, was the true ground of religious confidence ; 
I whence Mr. Wheelwright pronounced them all under 'a 
! covenant of works.' This was too much for the worthy 
i colonists, who valued themselves on their orthodoxy, and 
Wheelwright was banished for sedition. f He retired 
with a number of followers to an uncultivated tract with- 
in Mason's patent, where he laid the foundation of the 
town of Exeter. There they established a Combination 
government 1639. J Three years after, when the New 
Hampshire settlements were taken under the wing of 



^Hutchinson. State Papers. 418. tl Mas.s. Hist. Coll. ix. 31. 
tThe members of this Combination were in all thirty five. Haz- 
ard. Coll. i. 4C3. 



128 . HISTORY OF SACO 

Mass., Mr. Wheelwright removed into this quarter, and 
with some of our planters, as already noticed, commen- 
ced the settlement of Wells ; of those who were with 
him at Exeter, we afterwards find George Barlow here, 
Willia mCole, Edmund Liidefield, William Wardwell, 
at Wells, Edward Rishworth at York, and Christopher " 
Lawson at Kennebec. Barlow probably had the zeal 1 
without the knowledge of his master, and was silenced 
by the Mass. Commissioners at the request of some of 
the inhabitants. His adherence^to Wheelwright, however, 
may have been the real cause of their prohibition. The 
order containing it, relates to the state of the religious af- 
fairs of the town in general : "The Commissioners being 
informed that Saco is destitute of a good minister, where 
it is much desired that all due care be taken to attain the 
same, and in the meantime, that their peace may be pre- 
served, they do declare and order that Robert Booth 
shall have liberty to exercise his gifts for the edification 
of the people there. Several persons complaining that 
George Barlow is a disturbance to the place, the Commis- 
sioners at their request thought it meet to forbid the said 
Barlow any more publickly to preach or prophesy there 

under the penalty of ten pounds for every offence." 1 

The term prophesying was usually applied to the religious * 
exhortations of laymen, or persons not regularly inducted 
into the office of a minister."* The name of Mr. Barlow 
does not appear in the records after 1653, but we find 
the marriage of Henry Hatherly to Elizabeth Barlow, 
probably his daughter, about 1670. 

Mr. Booth officiated several years as the religious tea- 
cher of the town. In Feb. 1658-9, it was voted, "that 
Robert Booth shall teach the word on the Lord's day 
till we have a better in place. And he shall have for his 
labor as the major part are disposed to give." At the 
town commissioner's court, about the same time, it was 
"ordered that this town of Saco shall forthwhh make 
a rate to the value of ten pounds and levie it as 
and bring it in to R. Booth to what place in the (town) 
he shall appoint before March next in full satisfaction for 



*Hist. Coll. ut supra. 19. 



AND BIDDEFORB. 129 

all his labor in teaching from the beginning unto this 
day." This worthy townsmen seems to have filled a 
variety of useful offices, for which he was qualified by an 
education superior to that of most of the inhabitants. He 
appears to have resided both at Exeter and Wells before 
he came to this town ; as his name is subscribed to a pe- 
tition of the former town, addressed to the Mass. Gen. 
Court 1645, praying the court not to grant any lands or 
meadows lying near Exeter unto the town of Dover ;* 
and that he lived at Wells, we learn from a deposition in 
which he expressly states the fact. Yet three years after 
the date of the Exeter petition, Mr. Booth was on a 
committee of the Gen. Assembly of Lygonia ; and as 
Wells was not included within that jurisdiction, he was 
then unquestionably an inhabitant of Saco. He died 
1672, aged seventy years. His children, born 1627-55, 
were Mary, Ellen, Simeon, Martha, and Robert. Mary 
was married to Walter Pennell 1647 ; Ellen to N. Buly jr. 
1652; Simeon married Rebecca Frost, 1663. Mr. 
Booth lived, according to tradition, at the last bend of the 
road leading to Fletcher's neck, near the sea. A strip of 
land called Stony Stand point, belonged to him. He had 
a corn tide mill on the creek that runs into the head of 
the Pool ; the 'stepping stones,' laid between the shore 
and the mill, have been seen by a person now living. The 
mill was appraised, after the death of Mr. Booth, at £30. 
The name of his family is now extinct in this quarter. 

A complaint was entered in the court of 1659, against 
R. Booth "for disturbing the minister, Mr. Dunnum"; 
which probably arose from some unfriendly feeling to the 
former, as he was acquitted, and the complainants were 
obliged to pay the costs of the action. We find no no- 
tice of this minister in the town-book. f 

in 1661, a committee was raised "to speak to Mr. 
Hooke about teaching to them on the Lord's day, and 
to conclude with him after what manner and upon what 
terms he will accept." This gentleman had then recent- 

*Farmer, MS. Letter. tThere was a preacher of the same name 
(Dunham) at Edgarton, Martha's Vineyard, 1685. J. Coffin. 

12 



i^ HISTORY OF SACO 

ly become an inhabitant of the town ; the next year^ 
Phillips sold him the land which had been occupied by 
John Leighton at Winter Harbor. Mr. Hooke has been 
mentioned in a previous chapter, as a friend to the govern- 
ment of Gorges. At a subsequent period, 1681, he was 
treasurer of the Province, and under the charter of 1692 
a member of the Council of Mass. He was then living 
at Kittery, where he died in Jan. 1695. 

The Rev. Seth Fletcher commenced preaching here 
1 66 1 -2. The earliest notice of him furnished by the town 
records, is the following : "June, 1662. It is consented 
to make a rate for Mr. Fletcher's diet 10 3 0." The 
next month, at a townmeeting, the town contracted with 
John Rice for the rent of a house at Winter Harbor, 
"which he bought of William Tharall," for their use one 
year, for the accommodation of the minister, and agreed 
to pay him 51. in merchantable fish. Mr. Fletcher was 
previously settled at Wells, as early as 1655, but, in 1660, 
some of the inhabitants petitioned the Gen. Court for his 
dismission, stating that "for near two years past he had 
drawn them into neglect relating both to the sanctifying 
of the Sabbath, and the performance of God's holy wor- 
ship therein." It was ordered "by the authority of this 
court that due notice be given to the inhabitants of Wells 
and Mr. Fletcher, that they appear at the next county 
court at York, there either to justify those exceptions of 
unmeetness they seem to charge against Mr. Fletcher," 
Sic."^ His dismission followed, and he removed to this 
place the following year. At the expiration of the 
year for which he was engaged, Phillips and Hooke were 
appointed a committee to procure a minister. It does 
not appear, either that Mr. Fletcher was re-engaged, or 
another minister obtained at that time. 

We find nothing more relating to this subject until 5 
March, 1675, when it is recorded that tlie inhabitants a- 
greed to send for a minister, namely, Mr. Paine, and to 
pay all such charges as he shall necessarily have occasion 



*Mass. Records. Mr. Greenleaf, ficcl. Sketches of Maine, has over- 
looked Mr. Fletcher, although himself for several yeai:s minister erf 
the same town. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 13sl 

to spend coming and going, and whilst he is with us." 
The Rev. Robert Paine, who graduated at Harvard Col- 
lege 1656, was the gentleman alluded to. He preached 
at Wells about this time,* but appears not to have accep- 
ted the invitation of our townsmen. In May following, 
there were two candidates before the town, viz. Mr. 
Fletcher, and 'Mr. Chansee,' [Chauncy.] The votes 
were 24 for the latter, and 1 1 for the former. Mr. Chaun- 
cy remained one year. In April, 1666, there was a 
meeting about his 'going away and his wages,' when the 
following vote passed. "It is the consent of the major 
part of this meeting that Master Chauncy may be safely 
sent home as speedily as conveniently may be. Mr. F. 
Hooke and R. Booth are appointed by this meeting tb 
take care for his passage at the town charge." The rates 
levied for his wages were not collected, and two years af- 
ter, April, 1668, we find that "Mr. Williams hath deliver- 
ed 34s. in to Mr. Barnabas Chansee upon condi- 
tion that if the townsmen do not approve of it, he promises 
to allow it back again." The Rev. Dr. Chauncy, presi- 
dent of Harvard College from 1654 to 1672, had six 
sons, all of whom were educated at Cambridge, and be- 
came ministers. One was settled in London, a colleague 
of the celebrated Dr. Watts. Barnabas, who graduated 
1657, is said to have "died in middle age, an immature 
death. "f There can be no doubt that the measures ta- 
ken by our townsmen for his speedy and safe conveyance 
home, were owing to the failure of his health ; and that 
after liis recovery, he came to receive the arrears of his 
salary. His father died 1672, and such was the high 
estimation of his services, that the General Court made 
provision for his surviving family, or those of them who 
required it. Barnabas received lOl. per annum from this 
source. J 

Mr. Fletcher resumed the ministerial charge soon after 
the departure of Mr. Chauncy. In 1669, v;e find the 
following record : "The Inhabitants being mett at the 
Meeting house, doe acte as followeth : 1 . The covenant 



'Greenleaf. Eccl. Sketches. 20. tl Hist. Coll. x. 17a 
JMass. Records, 



132 HISTORY OF SACO 

made between Mr. Fletcher and the town is null. 2. 
The inhabitants unanimously vote to continue Mr. Fletch- 
er's ministree still amongst us. 3. It is unanimously 
yoated that Mr. Seth Fletcher shall have fiftie pounds 
payed him for this next year recompense for his minis- 
tree. 4. The selectmen to make a rate to pay the fiftie 
aforesaid for Mr. Fletcher's stipend this year 1669." A- 
gain in 1672, we find an equally strong expression of at- 
tachment to this gentleman on the part of his people. 
^'We the inhabitants of this town generally desire that Mr. 
Fletcher would be pleased to continue with us to be our 
minister as long as he may with comfort and convenience, 
and we are freely willing to continue our contribution as 
formerly we have done, and if there be any impediment 
in the way we shall endeavor to remove it if we are made 
acquainted with it ; and so we hope he will give us his 
answer, and for this purpose we have appointed R. Booth 
and T. Rogers to go to him and acquaint him with our 
desires, and bring his answer." This was at the March 
meeting. The nature of Mr. Fletcher's reply may be 
supposed from the votes passed at a meeting in June : 
"That Mr. Fletcher is left unto his liberty to continue a- 
mong us without any annua] calls, giving the town three 
months' notice to provide for themselves upon his removal 
if possible. 2. That 50/. be annually paid him as in 
times past." Thus was he settled over the people as their 
regular pastor ; the practice had previously been to re- 
new the engagement annually, if agreeable to the town. 
.He did not remain long, however, after that time. His 
wife, Mary, appears to have been a daughter of Maj. 
Pendleton, by whom their only son, Pendleton Fletcher, 
vvas adopted.. The Indian war commenced in 1675, 
when Mr. Fletcher, together with his father in law, re- 
moved. He afterwards preached at South Hampton, 
Long Island, N. Y. and at Elizabeth Town, N. J. The 
following letters to the Rev. Increase Mather, D. D. 
President of Harvard College, furnish the only informa- 
tion respecting Mr. Fletcher after his departure from this 
^place, which we have been enabled to obtain. 



AND BlDDErOKD* 133 

"South Hampton, October 22, 1677. 
Mr. Increase Mather — Rev. Sir : Hopeing the 
heahh and wellfare of yourselfe and all yours in these 
sickly times, and times of sickness. By these lines you 
may understand that the Messenger who carried my let- 
ter to the Governor (which i mentioned in my letter to 

you dated S last past, informed mee upon his returne 

home that the Gov. received my letter, presently broke 
it and perused it, ordering him to call an hour after for 
another to mee (for he would write back he said) the 
which he did, but when he went the Gov., Capt. Brockas, 
and Capt. Nichols were so busie with 3 Indian Sachems, 
brought from the Eastward, in drawing up Articles of 
peace and he had not leisure to write by him, but that 
there were some others that were shortly to call upon him 
for a letter to one of East Hampton and he would write by 
them, but to this day I have had no answer of my letter, 
and now I hear he is going to England (if he be not gone) 
so that my intended journey to him to New York is frus- 
trated. I have been to the Main to visit friends there. 
My brother Stow presents his service to you. In my ab- 
sence from the Hand there hath been (it seems) a letter 
drawn up to yourselfe, Mr. Thacher,* and Mr. Allen,f 
concerning your approbations of mee. Its made known 
secretly to mee, and the most of the actors know not 
that 1 am privie to it, neither hath it been with my con- 
sent. Indeed one of my well willers once said to me 
(since this great dust hath been raised) that he thought it 
the best way to send into the Bay to some of the elders 
to know their opinion of mee. I answered that I thought 
they had sufficient testimony (I meant by that ) and 
withall I said I should not be against it so they would send 
those that were the longest acquainted with mee. It 
might, I said, bee a meanes to cleare my name some what. 
I [referred to] J. Brock of Reading who was the first in- 
stigaterto my taking the work upon me concerning I have 
more cause than others to say, "Pros tauta tis ikanos."J 

*Rev. Thomas Thacher, first minister of the Old South church in 
Boston. tRev. James Allen, mirfister of the First church in Boston. 
X^^Who is sufficient for these things." 

12* 



134 HISTORV OF SACO 

And thereupon the Reverend John Wheelwright, and 
Mr. Dalton the Pastor and Teacher of our church at 
Hampton encouraged to it. The others I named were 
Mr. John Hale of Bass river,* and Mr. Samuel Cheever 
of Marbiehead, wlio had both of them been formerly 
ministers of our Eastern parts and of my acquaintan- 
ces. I lastly named Mr. John Higginson of Salem, as 
being less known to him, yet God haveing in his provi- 
dence so ordered it as that I have not only preached in 
his room and stead, but 3 or 4 times he being present, 
and withall he being the greatest encourager that I had 
to come into these parts I thought good to mention him. 
But while 1 was in town it would not be advisable to send 
at all. But n& sooner am 1 gone offthe Hand, in all haste 
a letter must be drawn up and sent to you and others that 
have had very little experience of me. Sir I have made 
bold to acquaint you with these dealings that you may the 
better judge thereof (if such letter or letters come to your 
hand) and indeed being a stranger and cooped up and 
confined to an Hand where I have more cause than ever 
to say "Amici boni rari sunt and that Amicus verus the- 
saurus est magnus." [Good friends are rare — A true 
friend is a great treasure.] But not to trouble you far- 
ther, with my humble service to yourself, and those Rev- 
erend Gentlemen, who are concerned in the Letter above, 
I committ you all and your Negotiations, Temptations and 
Burthens unto him that is both able and ready to accept our 
persons, and take notice of all our Moanes that we are > 
moved by his holy spirit to sigh and groan out before hinr. 
Remaineing.Sir your humble and willing servant in what 
I may. Seth Fletcher." 

Second Letter. 

^'Elizabeth Towne, March 25, 168L 
Mr. Increase Mather— Rev. Sir : You may please ' 
to call to mind that since I saw you in March (or Aprell) 
the vear past, I wrott a Letter to you bearing date May 
28, '1680, and another before that, May 10, 1680. That 
upon May 10 (especially) being about Mr. Gershom Ho- 

*Bevcrly, Mass., of which place Mr Hale was the first minister. ! 



AND BIDDEFORD. 135 

hart's 16s. 6d. which he is indebted to mee,* and Mr. 
Trapp's Exposition from Romans to the end of the Bible 
(in Quarto.) I never heard from you since what hath been 
done with it, I am now more remote and so the more to 
secke of Cash. New- York not being such a place for the 
production of mony as Boston is. Be pleased therefore to 
acquaint Mr. Bateman at the draw bridge foole v\hiityou 
have done, or like to doe, or are inclined to do about it. 
I have been much molested with Quakers here since I 
came. New ones comeing in one after another. Upon 
Feb. last past upon the motion of two of the sect, one of 
which two "is a schoolenir to some children in the towne 
(by nation a Scott, by name John Usquehart,) by former 
profession (as fame makes known to mee) a Popish Priest. 
A S(;hollaT he doth professe himself to be, and I find that 
he hath the Latine tongue. The buisinesse of that day 
was for mee to maintain an Assertion viz. That a Qua- 
ker living and dyeing as a Quaker (without repentance) 
must find out a new gospell, which might aford them hope 
of salvation, for what God hath revealed in his holy word 
there was no salvation for them in their impenitent condi- 
tion. I opened the terms Explicated by way of distinc- 
tion of sedusers and seduced, and so their sinnes, and 
likewise what God expected from the one and the other 
sort, which being done (although there were four or five 
more Quakers in the throng, yet none appearing in the 
Cause but the scholler aforesaid and a Chirurgeon; I de- 
manded of them what they had to say against my Explana- 
tion. Instead of speaking pertinently the scholler (whom 
I understand had been at the University four or five years) 
begins to tell the people a story of Moses, Ezra, Ha- 
baccuk their being Quakers. Whereupon having the peo- 
ple an account of the business of the day I proceeded to 
six severall Arguments by which to make good my Asser- 
tion viz. That a Quaker liveing and dyeing as a Quaker 
■ (without repentance) according to what God hath revea- 
led in his word, he could not be saved. I in every argu- 
ment demanded what part of the Argument they would 
deny but instead of answer there was railing and threa- 

*Rev. GerBhom Hobart was ordained at Gioton, Mass. 1679. 



136 HISTORY OF SAGO 

tening mee that my destruction was nigh at hand. T»' 
prove the Minor I continually produced their owne au- 
tliors and several things out of their Rabhie's books, which i 
so exceedingly gauled them that then they set themselveat 
to Humming, singing, reeling their heads and bodies (An- 
tique like) whereby both to disturb mee and to take of 
the people from attending to what 1 had to say for the 
maintaining the Assertion. Since that (I heare) I must ere 
long be proved to be no minister of Christ, and they have 
attempted to raise as great a party at Road-Island and 
Delleway Bay against mee as they can. Nay more they 
say England and their friends there shall heare of it and 
in speciail Will. Penn, whom I mentioned once and but 
once and then but in my 4ih argument. Namely his de- 
nyall of Christ being a distinct person without us from his 
book entitled Counterfeet Christian p. 77. As for news 
about Commonwealth affairs I saw a Proclamation of the 
old Governor forbrdeing upon Perill the graunting any ' 
obedience to those in present power, promiseing open i 
Courts shortly. The proclamation was put up here at ; 
our meeting house upon Sabbath morn March 6, 1680-1, , 
but before morning exercise taken down, and the day af- 
ter sent to York. What the issue will be God (in time) 
will discover. Sir no further toinlarge I take leave com- 
mitting you to the keeper of Israel, remaineing yours to i 
serve you in Love. Seth Fletcher. 

I saw Mr. Abraham Person* in health upon Thursday 
morning March 9 at his own house and the next day Mr* 
Allen (in health also) at my house. "f 

It appears from some expressions contained in the fore- 
going letters that Mr. Fletcher had been connected with 
the church at Ham[)ton, N. H. He was perhaps pre- ■ 



*Rev. Abraham Piersnn went to South Hampton with a company of i 
emigrants from Lynn, Mass. I(i40. Lewis He afterwards romoved 
to Newark, N. J. where he is said to have died about 168L His son, 
also named Abraham, wa^s settled as his colleague at Newark 1672, 
ajid was subsequently the first rector or president of Yale College. — ■ 
Farmer Trivmhull. Hist. Conn. 

tThe above letters are derived from the Mather MSS. in the library 
of the Mass. Hist. Society, from which they were kindly transcribed 
for our purpose by Mr. J. Coffin. The MS. is obviously imperfect. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 137 

pared for the ministry by Mr. Dalton, the worthy pastor 
of that church. The nature of his difficulties at South 
Hampton is not very obvious ; his reputation, however, 
had been assailed, in defence of which he appealed to 
some of the most eminent clergymen in New England.* 

The next minister was the Rev. William Milburne. 
May, 9, 1685, the selectmen were authorized "to treat 
forthwith with Mr. Milburne to know whether he will 
teach amongst them or not, and what satisfaction he will 
have of the town." At the May meeting next year, it 
was ordered "that the arrearages of Mr. Milburne's salary 
be paid by Aug. 6. and brought in to Goodman Scam- 
man and Edward Sargeant." July 12, it was ordered 
"that Mr. Milburne's salary be paid as follows : in beef 
IJd. per. lb. ; pork 2jd. ; wheat 4s. 6d. per bushel; 
peas 4s. 6d. ; Indian corn 3s. ; butter 5d. per lb. ; boards 
183. per M. ; red oak staves I6s.*' Arrangements were 
made at the same meeting for the erection of a parson- 
age house, to be 30 feet in length, 20 in breadth, and 
15 J stud, and to have four chimneys. The building com- 
mittee, then appointed, soon after met at the house of 
John Sharpe, and thus distributed their duties : Benja- 
min Blackman and John Edgecomb were to see the house 
framed, raised and enclosed ; John Sharpe and George 
Page to see to the shingling ; Scamman to have the cel- 
lar dug and stoned ; and Roger Hill, Francis Backus and 
Pendleton Fletcher to see the chimneys made with brick. 
There is but one town record of that century after the 
year 1686 ; viz. in 1688, which relates to a choice of se- 
lectmen. We have therefore no further information re- 
specting the proceedings in relation to the settlement of 
Mr. Milburne ; but they were probably frustrated by the 
renewal of Indian hostilities in 1688. 

A meetinghouse was built at Winter Harbor between 
the years 1660-1666. At a town commissioners' court. 



*The Rev. John McDowell, pastor of the First Presbyterian church 
in Elizabeth Town, informs us that he has taken niQch pains to col- 
lect facts respecting its early history, having; written and published d 
sketch of it, but that he has found nothing earlier than the year 1687, 
althouorh the town was settled 1664, and he has always supposed there 
was a church as well as pastor as early as the settlement. MS. Letter. 



138 HISTOICY OF SACO 

1658, an order passed "that the meeting house shall I 
stand by potvder beefe tree where preparation is already 
made." This singular designation of the site of the 
building cannot now be explained. In a conveyance of 
a piece of marsh by Phillips to Waher Mayer 1659, the 
premises are said to be "near Powder Beife Tree." 
Hence it is probable the meetinghouse was erected nearc 
the Pool. In the treasurer's account with the town 1664, , 
we find the following items ; "Payd to John Henderson 
for his work at the meetinghouse 21. 12s. Payd to Maj. 
Phillips for boards 41. 5s. Payd to Robert Cooke and 
Simeon Booth for bringing boards from the falls for the 
meetinghouse 5s. The same ditto. Payd to Roger Hill 
for a diner 10s. ; to R. Hichkox for heefe 5s." The 
dinner was perhaps given at the raising, for the house 
was not completed at that time. The next year a rate 
was made to defray the expense of "seeling [ceiling] the 
meetinghouse. After it was completed, the following ar- 
rangement was made. "Sept. 22, 1666, at a general] 
towne meeting it is ordered at that meeting every one to 
be placed in thayr seats in the meetinghouse in maner 
following : in the first seate, 1 Mistress Mavericke, Phillips, 
Pendleton, Hooke, Bonithon, Williams, Trustrum. 2 
Goodis VVadock, Coman, (Gumming,) Gibbins, Booth, 
Buly, Hichkox. 3 Goodis Pennell, Kirkeet, Rogers, 
Bowden, Hill, Helson. 4 Goodis Sily, Hobs, Luscom, 
Maier, Wormstall, Scadlock. 5 Goodis Davis, Randall, , 
Sergent, D. Sergent, Harman, Nazeter. 6 Goodise 1 
Chilson, Egcome, Henderson, Wakefeeld, Booth, Leigh- | 
ton. 7 Hewes, Page, Frost. Secondly it is voated that 
the binch before the forth seate shall be speedyly set up 
againe in the meetinghouse, as atest Rob : Booth, Re-j 
corder." "April, 1669, John Sharpe and James Gib- 
bins jr. is appointed to sit in the seate with Simion Booth 
in the foremost seat : And their wives are -to sit in the 
tliird seate with S. Booth's wife and J. Lighton's wife."*' 



^Sullivaii, p. ^J2, notices this record in the following erroneous ? 
manner . "A vote is recorded in the year 1GG(), for seating the women i 
in the meetinghouse, and Mrs. Phillips, and Goody Booth, who wa9 < 
no doubt the wife of Robert Booth, Es<i. were placed in the most I 
honorable seat." 



AND BIDDEFORD. 139 

•: The precedence in this arrangement seems to have 
oeen given to seniority, except in a few instances. Mis- 
tress Maverick was unquestionably the lady of Samuel 
Maverick, Esq. one of the King's Commissioners. The 
accurate historian of Mass. relates, that those gentlemen, 
after making appointments and 'exercising divers acts of 
government' in N. Hampshire and Maine, returned to 
Boston ; and that Mr. Maverick delivered a copy of a 
letter to the governor of that colony while setting in court, 
purporting to be from the King, in September 1666. 
The Commissioner, it thus appears, was not himself here 
at the date of our record, but owing probably to the un- 
kind reception with which they had met at Boston and at 
Portsmouth, he was induced to leave his family at this 
place, the seat of the new government, where the leading 
men and a great portion of the inhabitants had welcomed 
their arrival. The lady of Mr. Maverick was Mary, 
daughter of Rev. John Wheelwright, whom he married 
at Boston 1660.* Mr. Wheelwright left Wells about 
1647, and settled at Hampton, N. H., the sentence of 
banishment having been repealed by the General Court 
on his petition a few years before. He afterwards went 
to England, where he was in high favor with Cromwell, 
with whom he bad been contemporary at the university. f 
After the restoration of Charles II. he returned to this coun- 
try, and settled at Salisbury, Mass., where he died Nov. 
15, 1679. Samuel Wheelwright of Wells, a justice 1 665, 
was his son. He has numerous descendants in that town 
and vicinity at the present day. Mr. Maverick visited 
Boston 1667, with letters from Governor Nichols of New 
York, and perhaps accompanied that gentleman to Eng- 
land the same year. We find no subsequent notice of 
him. J 



' *Winthrop'8 Jour. i. 201, note, f Cotton Mather's letter to G. Vau- 
ghan. iii. Belknap. N. H. Appx. I. 

^Commissioner Maverick was a son of Samuel M. of Noddle's Isl- 
and ; the latter died 1664. He was a wealthy planter, and owned 
property in this quarter ; the names of his administrators (A. Check- 
iy of Boston, John Wiswall of Dorchester) are in our county records. 
Letters of administration were granted to F. Hooke on the estate of 
Samuel Maverick jr., Nov, 1666. Antipas Maverick was of Kittery 
1652. We know of no connection of either with the commissioner. 



140 HISTORY OF SACO 

Another disposition of the matrons in the meetinghouse 
was made by the selectmen Dec. 9, 1674, as follows: 
*'lst seat. Mrs. Pendleton, Goodwife Trustrum, G. 
Waddock, G. Gibbins, G. Cummins. 2. G. Booth, Bu- 
ley, Hitchcock, Temple, Hill. 3. G. Pennell, Rogers, 
Bouden, Elson, Wormstall, Mar. 4. G. Silly, Carter, 
Sargeant, Gibbins jr. Henderson, Rule, Sharp. 5. G. 
Harmon, Peard, Presbury, Case, Harmon jr. Read, Hen- 
derson jr. 6. G. Edgcomb, Wakefield, Booth, Leigh- 
ton, Frost, Page." 

An attendance on public worship was rigorously enfor- 
ced at this period by the civil authorities. Travelling on 
the sabbath was punished by a fine of 10s., including the 
officer's fee. None were excepted from the operation 
of these laws. Even under the jurisdiction of the King's 
Commissioners we find Mrs. Bridget Phillips subjected 
to a presentment by the grand jury for absence from pub- 
lic worship. John Jocelyn, Esq. the traveller, who was 
at this time residing with his brother, the principal magis- 
trate of the province, at Black-point, was presented for 
a similar offence. "We present," say the jurymen at a 
somewhat later date, "Arthur Beal for travelling from his 
own house upon the Sabbath day, about a mile, to speak 
with Job Young to go with him to the Point for a boat to 
go to sea the week following." Mark Ree was fined 10s. 
"for breach of the sabbath for going to sea out of the 
harbor on the Lord's day where the ministry was." John 
Wadleigh was presented for a common sleeper on the 
Lord's day, at the publique meeting : the offender dis- 
charged with an admonition, paying 2s. 6d. to the recor- 
der. Other offences that nowadays often escape punish- 
ment, were taken cognizance of by the courts. In 
1667, "Juliana Cloyse, wife to John, was presented 
for a talebearer from house to house, setting differences 
between neighbors." A man was presented for idleness. 
The town of Scarboro' for not having a minister. Des- 
titute towns were required to pay 501. per annum towards 
the support of a minister in the neighboring town, until 
they were supplied. The persecution of Quakers ex- 
tended into this quarter. An order was passed by the 



AKD BIDDEFORD. 141 

; Court 1669, that "whatsoever quakers shall act in town 
affairs as officers within the county of York, shall pay 
five pounds." Nich. Shapleigh of Kittery seems to have 
' favored this sect, for the constable of that town was or- 
, dered "to repair to his house on two sabbath days, taking 
i sufficient testimony with him, and to forbid him and all 
ii persons assembled giving countenance to any such per- 
sons or their meetings contrary to the laws of this juris- 
diction." This was in 1663. 

The royal Commissioners encouraged the revival of 
the church of England among the inhabitants. The 
magistrates were directed by them "to maintain the wor- 
ship of God, and they (the Commissioners) desire that the 
i people may be convinced of the necessity of the sarcra- 
[inents, which they would have administered according to 
!the church of England." Mr. Jordan, who had laid a- 
|side the ministerial office during the sway of Mass., was 
(now desired by the people to baptize their children. 
'[This state of things continued, however, but a short time. 



CHAPTER XI. 



The discontents of some of the inhabitants of the Pro- 
Ivince under the arrangement of 1665, led them to peti- 
tion the Mass. government to resume a jurisdiction. Four 
commissioners, accompanied by a military escort, were im- 
mediately sent from the Bay, who came to York in July, 
]668. Mr. Jocelyn, and others of the justices, had an 
' interview with them on the morning of the day assigned 
for the opening of the court, and remonstrated against 
their exercise of power in opposition to the commands of 
the King. It was of no avail, however, for the commis- 
sioners proceeded to the meetinghouse and opened the 
court. Notice had been previously given to the towns to 
elect associates, and the marshal was now directed to read 
the returns. Five out of seven towns made returns, in 
one of which, say the commissioners in their report, "a- 
13 



142 HISTORY OF SACO 

bove half the electors sent in their votes." We hence 
infer that a majority in the other towns were opposed to 
coming again under the power of Mass. While the court 
was engaged in examining the votes, the Justices appeared 
at the door of the house, where they made proclamation 
that all should attend to the King's commands ; upon 
which the marshal of the Commissioners was direc- 
ted to proclaim, "that if any person had commands from 
his Majesty, the court was ready to hear them." The 
Justices then entered the house, and desired that a letter 
from Col. Nichols, one of the royal commissioners, ad- 
dressed to the Mass. government, should be publicly read 
to the people. The Commissioners replied that their re- 
quest should be complied with in the afternoon. During 
their adjournment, at noon, the Justices proceeded to holdiji 
a General Assembly of the Province in the same house ; 
deputies from the different towns were present, legally 
chosen, and public notice of the meeting of the Assembly 
was given by the marshal of the Province and his assis- 
tant. The Commissioners endeavored to prevent this* 
step, and caused the marshal and his assistant to be ar- 
rested ; but on going to the meetinghouse they found their 
seats occupied by their opponents, and the house filled 
with people. Mr. Jocelyn and the other gentlemen con- 
sented to resign their places, however, provided their 
commission and the King's mandamus should be read ; 
this beins; done, the Commissioners were left in posses- 
sion of the house. On calling upon the associates found 
to be returned, to take their oaths, one of them, Mr. 
Roger Plaisted, of that part of Kittery now S. Berwick, 
desired to know by what right the government of the 
Province was re-assumed by Mass. ; to whom the Com- 
missioners replied, ^hy virtue of their charter.'^ The cus- 
tomary civil and military ofhcers were then appointed. 
Mr. Pendleton, the associate from Saco, received the 
commission of Major of the forces in the County of York, 
as the Province was again styled. 

Tlie foregoing account is chiefly derived from the report 
made by the Mass. gentlemen to the General Court. Mr. 
.Jcihn Jocelyn, then residing at Black-point, has given a 



AND BIDDEFORD. 143 

different statement of the circumstances. This author is 
reproached by the Mass. writers as a prejudiced person, 
entitled to little or no credit ; we know not, however, why 
he should be more likely to pervert facts, than the parties 
on the other side. Jocelyn says : "Sir F. Gorges suffered 
in the cause of the King ; wherefore he was discountenan- 
ced by the pretended commissioners for foreign planta- 
tions, and his Province encroached on by the Mass. Colo- 
ny, who assumed the government thereof. His Majesty 
that now reigneth (Charles II.) sent over his Commis- 
sioners to reduce them within their bounds, and to put 
Mr. Gorges again into possession. But these falling into a 
contest about it, the Commissioners settled it in the King's 
name, (until the business should be determined before his 
majesty,) and gave commissions to the Judge of their 
courts and the justices to govern and act according to the 
laws of England, and by such laws of their own as were 
not repugnant to them. But as soon as the Commission- 
ers were returned for England, the Massachusetts enter 
the Province in a hostile manner with a troop of horse 
and foot, and turned the judge and his assistants off the 
bench, imprisoned the major or commander of the mili- 
tia, and threatened the judge and some others that were 
-faithful to Mr. Gorges' interest."* 

The inhabitants did not all quietly submit to this arhi- 
trary resumption of power. That old offender, and in- 
veterate enemy to their authority, Mr. John Bonytlion^ 
was again brought before the court for contempt. It was 
ordered, that if he "would give bonds for his appearance 
at the next court of assistants, or associates, to answer 
for his contempt of his Majesty's authority settled in the 
Colony, and in the meantime keep the peace and submit 
to his Majesty's government, it would be accepted. At 
the first Mr. Boiiython refused to accept the court's ten- 
der, but upon further consideration yielded his subjection 
to this authority of the Mass. under his Majesty, for fur- 
ther confirmation whereof he and his son, Mr. Thomas 
Bonython, did both of them take oath in the presence of 

"jQcelyn's Voyages. 199, 



144 HISTORY OF SACO 

this court." John accordingly appeared at the next court. 
The presentment of the grand jury was as follows : "We 
present John Bonython, senior, for his contempt of the 
Mass. government, and for saying that the Bay men are 
rogues and rebels against his Majesty, and that rogue Maj. 
Leverett he hoped would be hanged, and if he wanted a 
hangman, he would be one for them." Fined 22/. Mr. .j 
Bonython gave as security for the payment of the fine Mr. 
Seth Fletcher 5/. ; R. Foxwell 6/. j R. Cummins 6/. ; J. 
Gibbins 50s. ; J. Presbury 60s, Thomas Taylor was pre- 
sented at this court "for abusing Capt. F. Raynesbeinffj 
in authority by (hee-ing and ihou-ing of him, and many 
other abusive speeches." John Bonython jr. and Thos.. 
Bonython were presented "for living in a disorderly family 
in the house of their father, a contemner of this au- 
thority." 

The usurpation by the Mass. Colony at this time, was 
a bolder step than the former one ; since the government 
of the province had been assumed in trust by the crown, 
to be restored to the party in whose favor a decision 
should be made in England. Renewed exertions were 
now used by the lord proprietor and his friends to obtain 
a recognition of his title. Petitions were sent from the 
Province, complaining of the subversion of the King's au- 
.thority by the Bay magistrates, and desiring the crown 
again to interpose. At length they so far prevailed as to 
obtain letters from the sovereign, dated March 10, 1675-6, 
requiring the Mass. Colony to send over agents to ap- 
pear before him in six months after the receipt of the 
letters, with full instructions to answer the complaints and 
receive final judgment in the case. The Colony deputed 
William Stoughion of Dorchester, and Peter Bulkley of 
Concord, for this purpose ;* "who were ready to attend 
his Majesty's pleasure at VVhitehall, [says a writer of that 
period] within the time limited in his royal letters ; and 
not long after, upon a just hearing of the allegations of 
each party, his majesty was pleased to give his final de- 
termination, wherein he saw cause to confirm unto the 
Massachusetts their charter, with the original bounds of 

*The former was afterwards lieut-governor and chief-justice; tht 
Utter had been speaker of the house of deputies. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 145 

the same ; and the Province of Maine was also, by the 
said determination, not altered, but left to the heirs of 
Sir F. Gorges, both as to soil and the government."* 
Thus Sir Ferdinando received a full confirmation of his 
title to the property and jurisdiction of the Province, to 
which he had succeeded as the oldest son of Sir John Gor- 
ges, the heir of the original grantee and lord proprietor. 
No sooner, however, was the decision obtained, than an 
agent of Mass. made propositions for the purchase of the 
province, which were accepted : in March 1677, Gor- 
ges transferred his title for the sum of twelve hundred 
pounds sterling. f This step of the proprietor excited 
the surprise and astonishment of the inhabitants of the 
province, and gave offence to the King, who claimed a 
prior right to make the purchase for the protection of his 
subjects from the abuses of which they had complained, 
and demanded a re-assignment to the crown, offering to 
re-pay the agent of the Colony the consideration he 
had given. A 'Declaration,' or remonstrance, signed by a 
large number of the principal inhabitants, opposed to the 
transfer, was forwarded to England ; and it even be- 
came necessary for the government of Mass. to send an 
armed force into the Province to quiet the people. The 
Colony however refused to accede to the wishes either of 
the king or the inhabitants, and proceeded to establish a 
separate jurisdiction over the purchased territory, which 
was regarded as a province, in the right of Gorges, and 
no longer a part of their own territory, conveyed by their 
patent. That pretence being no longer necessary, was 
now abandoned. The following proclamation was issued 
on the organization of the government, a new mode of 
administration being commenced, in which the provincial 
style was adopted, and a distinct but dependent jurisdic- 
tion established. 

"York, 17 March, 1679-80. The freeholders of the 
Province of Maine being summoned met ; a commission 



*Hubbard. Hist. N. E. 613. Hutchinson. Hist. Mass. i. 281. 
iSnllivan, 383, says the sale was effected ''while the matter was in 
discussion before the King and Council," and this statpnient is sup- 
ported bv the King's letter of 1679. Hutch. Hist. i. 294. 
13^ 



146 HISTORY OF sAcro 

under the seal of the Governor and Council of his Ma* 
jesty's Colony of Massachusetts was openly exhibited 
and read, declaring that the said Governor &lc. are now 
the lawful assigns of Sir F. Gorges, Knight, to the end- 
that the abovenamed Province might be protected in the* 
enjoyment of their just right and privileges according tof 
the rules of his Majesty's royal charter granted unto the 
abovenamed Sir F. Gorges, Kt. The abovenamed Gov- 
ernor and Council have erected and constituted a Court 
and Council — they have chosen and deputed Thomas 
Dan forth, Esquire, for the first year. President. The 
within named gentlemen are commissioned for the first- 
year : Capt. John Davis, Major B. Pendleton, Capt. 
Joshua Scottow, Capt. John Wincoll, Edward Rish worthy. V 
Francis Hooke, S. Wheelwright, Capt. Charles Frost." 

The warrants for the choice of deputies to the General 
Assembly, to be holden at York, were then sent forth,, 
and the session commenced March 30, 1680. E. Rish- 
worth was chosen Secretary ; F. Hooke, Treasurer of 
the Province. Maj. Bryan Pendleton was appointed De- 
puty President, and authorized with the assistance of other 
members of the Council, or justices, to hold intermediate 
terms of court. John Davis of York succeeded Maj. 
Pendleton as deputy-president the following year. la 
1684, the Assembly consisted of the President, De- 
puty President, Assistant, six Justices, and twelve Depu- 
ties. Full powers for the regulation of the affairs of the 
Province seem to have been committed to this body. Its 
proceedings were of a very mixed character ; laws were ^j 
made and enforced ; legal questions settled ; letters of 
administration granted, and estates proved ; military com- 
missions issued : provision made for the public safety in 
war; roads laid out ; the religious affairs of towns super- 
intended ; and in short, every subject of public, and 
many of private interest, came under the cognizance of 
these courts. An election sermon was preached at the 
commencement of each session. The Rev. Shubael 
Dummer, minister of York, performed this duty 1683. 

President Danforth did not reside permanently in the 
Province ; his family remained at Cambridge, Mass. He 
was a popular and prudent magistrate. He held the of- 



AND BIDDEFORD. 14f 

fice of Deputy Gov. of Mass. at the same time. Saco 
sent one deputy to the Assemblies under this government ; 
the first year, Mr. John Harmon ; in 1682, Mr. John 
Davis, who, the record of the court says, 'was disaccep- 
ted as a scandalous person.' The laws of the Mass. 
Colony required a deputy to the Gen. Court to be 'sound ia 
the orthodox faith,' as well as not 'scandalous in conversa- 
tion.'* The refusal of a seat to Davis shows that one at 
least of these requisitions was observed in reference to 
the Assemblies of the Province. In 1683, the town was 
represented by Mr. Benjamin Blackman ; the next year 
by John Sargeant ; in 1685 by Capt. George Turfrey. 

The government might now appear to be firmly estab- 
lished ; the inhabitants at length became reconciled to 
it, and the conflict of patents and titles was no more. But 
another revolution awaited them. James II. succeeded 
to the throne of England 1685 ; in April of that year 
he was publicly proclaimed at York in this Province. 
The old scheme of a general government for the colonies 
was soon after revived ; the charter of Mass. was recalled^ 
and a President appointed for all New England. Joseph 
Dudley, Esq. received the commission of President early 
in 1686. A council was appointed at the same time, 
composed of seventeen gentlemen, resident in differ- 
ent parts of N. England ; among whom was F. Cham- 
pernoon, Esq. of Kittery, who had been of the Council 
of Gorges in 1640. Under this administration, Dan- 
forth was removed from his office, and a court composed 
of William Stoughton, Judge, John Usher and Edward 
Tyng, Esquires, Councillors, with a justice from each 
town, sat at York in October of the same year. Presi- 
dent -Dudley was superseded by Sir EHmund Andros be- 
fore the close of 1686, whose arbitrary government las- 
ted about two years, terminating with the reign of his mas- 
ter. In the winter af 1688, Andros came into the Pro- 
vince at the head of six or seven hundred .men, for the 
destruction of the Indians ; but the energy manifested on 
this occasion was ill-directed, and proved ruinous to his^ 



*Aucient Charters and Laws of Mass. Bay, 98. 



148 HISTORY OF SACO 



1 



followers alone. The enemy easily eluded him. He 
marched from Boston to Pemaquid, forty miles east of 
the Keniiehec, amid the rigors of winter, without see- 
ing a solitary savage. He returned early in the spring 
by water, attended by Mr. Randolph, his principal coun- 
sellor. It appears from a letter of the latter, addressed 
to Mr. Povey, that Governor Andros stopped at Winter! 
Harbor on his way to Boston. "At our return," says 
Randolph, ''we saw very good land at Winter Harbor, 
enough to make large settlements for many people; the 
governor will have it measured, and then surveyed, and ; 
then will dispose of it for settlements."* The rapacity 
of Andros was unbounded ; he doubtless intended to 
make a profitable speculation out of the lands with which 
he was so much pleased. The best established titles pre- 
sented a feeble obstacle to his wishes. But news of the 
revolutionary movements in England reaching Boston 
soon after his return, he was forcibly seized and sent out 
of the country. After this event, President Danlorth re- 
sumed the duties of his office, f which he probably con- 
tinued to exercise until the reception of the new Charter 
in 1692. This instrument provided "that the territories 
and colonies commonly called and known by the names 
of the Colony of the Mass. Bay, and Colony of 'New 
Plymouth, the Province of Maine, the Territory called 
Accada, or Nova Scotia, and all that tract of land lying 
between the said territories of Nova Scotia and the said 
Province of Maine, be incorporated, &;c. into one real 
Province by the name of our Province of the Mass. Bay 
in New England." Maine, as far as Nova Scotia, was 
constituted a county under the old name of York ; and 
continued undivided until the year 1760, when the 
County of York was reduced to its present limits. 

A union of Saco with the town of Cape Porpoise, now 
Kennebunk-port, seems to have been ordered by Gov. 
Andros, as it appears from the following record, the last 
contained in the old town book : "By a legal town mee- 



*Hutch. State Papers. 564. 
tThis fact is not stated by any writer within our knowledpre, but 
is derived from instructions given to Col. Church by the President in 
16-39. Church's Narrative. 1)2. (second edition.) * 



AND BIDDEFORD. 149 

ting for Saco and Cape Porpoise according to law, on 
Monday, 21 May, 1688, whereat Thomas Shepherd, 
Francis Backus, John Edgecomb and John Abbot are 
chosen selectmen for Saco, and Richard Peard consta- 
ble for the same ; and John Miller and Nicholas Mering 
selectmen for Cape Porpus, and Richard Randall consta- 
ble for the same, and it is ordered that if Cape Porpus 
will not accept of the selectmen and constable chosen by 
the town of Saco, then the selectmen in Saco and con- 
stable for the same, shall act and do for them as select- 
men and constable of the same. Also Edward Sargeant, 
is chosen commissioner, and William Geale town-clerk, 
and Thos. Doubty town treasurer." The records of 
Cape Porpoise for that period are not preserved, and we 
are unable to explain the cause of this temporary union, 
of which we find no other notice. 

Jocelyn, whose 'Voyages' we have so often quoted, 
published 1672, has given a brief description of the towns 
in this quarter, with which their present populous con- 
dition affords a striking contrast. He says : "Towns 
there are not many in this Province. Kittery is the most 
populous. Next to the eastward is seated by a river 
near the sea, Gorgiana, a Mayoraltie and the metropoli- 
tan of the Province. Further east is the town of Wells. 
Cape Porpoise east of that, where there is a town by the 
seaside of the same name, the houses scatteringly built. 
All these towns have store of salt and fresh marsh with 
arable land, and are well stocked with cattle. About 8 
or 9 miles to the east of Cape Porpoise is Winter Har- 
bor, a noted place for fishers ; here they have many 
stages. Saco adjoins to this, and both make one scatter- 
ing town of large extent, well stored with cattle, arable 
land, and marshes, and a sawmill. Six miles to the east 
of Saco and 40 miles from Gorgiana, is seated the town 
of Black-point, consisting of about 50 dwellinghouses, 
and a Magazine or Doganne, scatteringly built. They 
have store of neat and horses ; of sheep near upon 7 or 
600 ; much arable and marsh, salt and fresh, and a corn- 
mill. To the south of the point (upon which are stages 
for fishermen) lie two small islands ; beyond the point 
north east runs the river Spurwink. Nine miles east of 



150 HISTORY OF SACO 

Black-point lyeth scatteringly the town of Casco, upon a 
large bay, stored with cattle, sheep, swine, abundance off 
marsh and arable land, a cornmill or two with the stages i 
for fishermen. Further east is the town of Kennebeck;: 
seated upon the river. Further yet east is the Sagade- 
hock where are many houses scattering, and all along 
stages for fishermen ; these too are stored with cattle and 
eornlands." 

The Rev. William Hubbard, of Ipswich, published itii 
1677, a history of the war with the Indians, then justt 
terminated at the west, and devoted a separate portion off 
his work to the eastern country. This book having pass-- 
ed through numerous editions, is probably familiar to mostt 
of our readers : but a brief extract descriptive of the ; 
plantations in this vicinity, will not be out of place. "Nott 
far from Casco bay, to southward or southwest, is a river' 
called Spurwink, over against which lies Richmond Isl- 
and, not far from the main land, being divided therefrom li 
by a small channel, fordable at low water; it hath for ai 
long time been the seat of Mr. Jordan in the right off 
Mr. Winter, the former if not the first proprietor thereof, , 
whose daughter he married. The next plantation south- 
ward is called Scarborough, a small village seated upoi^i 
Klack-point, over against which is another point, for dis^ 
tinction from the former called Blue-point. This Black- 
point was lately the seat of Mr. Jocelyn, being a parcel I 
of the Province of M3ine, or falling within the precinct 
thereof, and was formerly by patent granted to the said 1 
Jocelyn or his predecessors, since purchased by Mr. i 
Scottow of Boston. Saco river lies next in order ta^^ 
Pascataqua, a navigable river, where Major Phillips had ' 
a commodious situation lately ; at the mouth of which 
river lies Winter Harbor, encompassed" on one side byai' 
r^eck of land, formerly the property of one Mr. Winter 
whose name it still retains,* but lately purchased by Maj. 
Pendleton, where he enjoyed a very comfortable seat, 
and habitation." 



*This error of VI r HubbHrct is sufficiently otivious ; Winter of 
Richmond island was the only person of the name in this quarter at 
an early date. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 151 

The towns in the western part of the Province, espe- 
cially Kittery, took the lead in business and population 
very soon after the settlements were made. Tlie town 
of Kittery was of great extent, reaching twelve or fifteen 
miles up the principal branch of the Pascataqua. The 
following list of county rates for ihe year 1662, shows 
the relative valuation of the tovvns at that time. "Kit- 
tery lOZ. ; York 7/. ; Wells 7/. ; Cape Porpoise 3/. ; 
Saco 6/. ; Scarboro' 7/. ; Falmouth 6/." Another list 
taken 1688; "Kittery 16/. Ss. 6d,; York 6/. Is. lOd.-y 
Wells 4/. 35. 4d,; Saco 3/. 195. 2d.; Black-point 3Z. 
16s. 2d. ; Falmouth 4/. 85. 4d. ; Cape Porpoise 1/. \0d. ; 
Isle of Shoals ll. 10c?." The amount to be raised in 
the last year, was 41/. 14^. 4f/. at a ^d, per pound. The 
property rated in Saco by this estimate was valued at 
1700/. or about $7000. The town was at that time in a 
much less flourishing condition than it had been during 
the residence of Phillips and Pendleton, and before the 
depredations of the Indians commenced. Nor is it pro- 
bable that an accurate valuation was made. 

A prison was ordered to be built at Casco 1668. The 
following record informs us of the proportion of the ex- 
pence levied upon this town. "March 6, 1668. The 
selectmen being mett to make a rate for charges about 
the gaole or prison at Casco, the deputies there do order 
this towne to pay 15/. I6s. lie/, which sum is concluded 
on, and a rate made by them to be gathered in by the 
25 day of this month where the constable shall apoynt, 
m wheat at 5s. 6d. the bushel ; indian corn at 3s. 6d. any 
other pay at pryce curant : pease at 4s. : the place of re- 
ceiving the pay is appoynted to be at the stage, in Ralph 
Trustrum house there, and four pence for every bushel 
they shall pay beside to R. Trustrum for the freight of it, 
and for any other pay they may agree with goodman 
Trustrum to carry it." 

Sullivan quoting a part of this record remarks, that 
"it may be concluded from it that there was no great 
scarcity of money in the country at that time." The 
meeting of 'deputies at Casco' probably had reference to 
a special object. It was holden on the last Tuesday of 



152 HISTORY OP SACO 

February ; R. Booth was instructed to present *the town's 
estate,' and to 'act in its behalf.* The General Assera*^ 
bly met at Saco in May following. 



CHAPTER XII. 



A numerous tribe of Indians dwelt about the mouth of I 
Saco river, and near the principal falls, when the early ' 
European navigators visited our shores. And long after 
the settlements of the English were here made, they still 
lingered in considerable numbers in their ancient places 
of abode, mingling familiarly with the new inhabitants. 
Their rights were evidently respected, while severe retri- 
butions were sure to follow the commission of acts of 1 
violence or mischief. Thus the records of 1636 show, 
that while the planter was required to use his best en- 
deavor to apprehend, or kill, any Indian known to have 
murdered any English, or destroyed their property, he 
was also compelled to pay satisfaction to the Indian he 
wronged. In this manner the utmost tranquility appears 
to have prevailed in the Province throughout the lives of I 
the first colonists, in their relations with the natives. The 
friendly intercourse of the natives with the inhabitants 
continued undisturbed, till the bold and restless spirit of h 
the chief of the Wamponoags of Narraganset bay, com- 
monly styled King Philip, conceived the design of ex- 
terminating the whites by a general insurrection of the 
tribes throughout New England. Some alarm was ex- 
cited a few years before hostilities commenced, by certain 
movements of the same chief, and in 1671, a warrant 
came to the towns in Maine from the Major General, di- 
recting them to be furnished with the necessary stores of 
ammunition ; when our townsmen ordered Maj. Pendleton 
to procure for them 'with all convenient speed', a cwt. 
of swan shot and pistol bullets, and a barrel of powder. 
This speck of war soon vanished, however, and not long 
after we find the town censured 'for not providing a stock 
of powder and balls according to law.' The militia of 



AND BIDi)EFOR». 153 

the province at this period, amounted to 700 men, distri- 
buted in the different towns in the following proportion : 
Kittery contained 180, York 80, Wells and Cape Por- 
poise 80, Saco 100, Black-point 100, Casco bay 80, Saga- 
dehock, 80.^ 

The plans of Philip, extensive and deeply laid, were 
not fully ripe for execution, when on 24 June, 1675, an 
accidental affray occurring between a number of English 
and Indians near Providence Plantations, kindled the 
flame of war. The news soon reached this Province, 
and 1 1 July, Henry Sawyer of York, communicated it 
by letter to the inhabitants of Kennebec. The first symp- 
toms of a disposition to follow in the steps of the western 
Indians, were shown in the plunder of the dwelling and 
trading house of Mr. Thomas Purchase, the old planter 
at Pegypscot, (Brunswick) by about twenty of the Andro- 
scoggin tribe in the absence of Purchase and his sons. 
They pretended to have been wronged in their dealings 
with him, but satisfied themselves with taking a supply of 
liquor and ammmunition, spoiling a feather bed, and kill- 
ing a few sheep. *These,' says a writer of that day, 
*were but the messengers of death,' for as they departed, 
they warned the family that others would come and do 
them greater injury. A few days after, the house of John 
Wakely, situated on the east of Presumpscot river, with- 
in the limits of Casco, or Falmouth, was attacked, and the 
family, composed of the old man and his wife, his son, 
with his wife and three children, were cruelly murdered. 
Another child named Elizabeth, about 1 1 years of age, 
was carried away, it is said, among the Narragansets ; a 
circumstance that shows the connexion between the west- 
ern and eastern Indians in these hostilities. 

The principal Sachem of the Saco Indians at that 
time, was called Squando. He was not only a chief, but 
;a powow, or priest, and by the practice of mysterious rites 
and a species of sorcery, had acquired great influence 
among his brethren. He appears to have dwelt in the 
neighborhood of the settlements, and to have discovered 
marks of attachment to the white inhabitants, until an un- 

*Chalraers' Polit. Ann. i. 507. quoted by Holmes, Am. Annals. ^ 
14 



154 HISTORY OF SAC0 

liappy cause of offence arose, at the very time when the • 
en)issaries of king Philip were striving to excite the eastern i 
Indians to acts of hostility. The wife of Squando, with t 
an infant at her breast, was passing on the river, when 
some English sailors thoughtlessly overset the canoe. foF 
the purpose, they pretended, of seeing whether the chilr 
dren of Indians were, like brute animals, naturally swim- 
mers. The mother recovered the child, but it soon af? 
ter fell sick and died. Squando was deeply exasperated 
by this insulting and afflictive act, and became at once a 
zealous and powerful promoter of war. Uniting with a i 
band of the Androscoggin savages, he prepared them for < 
an attack on our townsmen. Notice of their approach, ,: 
and of the presence of a western Indian with them, was 
fortunately given by a friendly native, and the inhabitants 
who lived about the falls, retired into the garrison house '■ 
of Major Phillips. This house was a few rods below the 
falls, on the western side of the river ; the mansion of 
S. Peirson, Esq. is nearly on the same spot. A few days 
after, Saturday morning, Sept. 18, the house of Mr. John , 
Bonython, on the eastern side of the river, was discovered , 
at the garrison to be on fire. Bonython had deserted it ; 
only a day or two before, to avoid being exposed to the if 
expected assault. There was just time enough after the 
alarm thus given, to collect all within the garrison and 
prepare to receive the enemy ; for in half an hour a sen- <, 
tinel placed at an upper window, espied an Indian lurking 
by the side of a fence near a cornfield. The discovery || 
being communicated to Maj. Phillips, he ran up to satis* , 
fy himself of its reality, when one of the men following 
him, cried out, "Major, do you intend to be killed ?" aj ; 
that moment he turned round, when a bullet struck him { 
in the shoulder, which would doubtless have proved fatal^ 1, 
had he retained his first position. The wound was slight, i 
The Indians, supposing the major was killed, started up \ 
from their concealment, shouting with exuhation. The ^ 
people in the garrison immediately opened a brisk fire | 
upon them, in the course of which their leader was SQ 
severely wounded, that he retired from the place of ac- 
tion, and died a few days after in the woods three or four 
miles distant. The attack lasted about one hour, whe|? 



AND BIDDEFORD. 155 

the savages, discouraged by the resolute defence of the 
garrison, despaired of taking it by assault. 

They now began destroying the adjacent property of 
Major Phillips ; set fire to his saw mill, after that to his 
corn-mill, and burned a house occupied by one of his ten- 
ants. They hoped by this means to draw the men out 
of the garrison, calling repeatedly to them, "Come out, 
you cowardly English dogs, and stop the fire !" Find- 
ing this had not the desired effect, they renewed their 
assault on the garrison, and continued it during the after- 
noon. The people resisted them stoutly, although some- 
what disheartened by not receiving relief from Winter 
Harbor, which they expected in the course of the day. 
One of the best men was disabled by a wound, in the 
early part of the attack, but animated by Major Phillips, 
they held out through the night. Towards morning it 
was suspected from the hammering and other noises about 
the half-burned mills, that they were devising some mode 
to set fire to the house ; and accordingly about four o'- 
clock, after the setting of the moon, a cart was discover- 
ed approaching the garrison, drawn by oxen, the drivers 
and others protected by a sort of rampart built up in 
front. It was filled with straw, birch bark, powder, and 
other combustibles, which they intended to throw on the 
'house, having long poles for this purpose. Fortunately as 
this novel engine drew near, (the men being ordered to 
reserve their fire until it came within pistol shot,) exciting 
the consternation of the besieged, one of the wheels in 
passing a small gutter stuck fast in the mud, and caused 
the cart to incline to the left; by which means the Indians 
were exposed to a raking fire from one of the flankers 
Df the garrison. Six of them were killed, and fifteen 
grounded. After this loss, they forthwith decamped, and 
It sunrise were all gone. The exact number was not 
icnown, but was computed at not less than a hundred. The 
5arrison contained 50 persons in all, but only ten efTec- 
ive men. Not one life was lost. The savages went off 
n the direction of Blue-point. Major Phillips sent that 
day (Sunday) to Winter Harbor for assistance, informing 
!uhe inhabitants of what had passed : but no relief appear- 
Jig, and having consumed their ammunition, they ali remo- 



156 HisTORy OP SAco 

ved to that part of the town on Tuesday. About a fort- 
night after, the Indians came and burned the house. All 
the houses above Winter Harbor were destroyed soon af- 
ter. A Mrs. Hitchcock was taken and carried away at 
this time, who died the winter following by eating some 
poisonous roots for ground nuts, while wandering in the i 
woods. At least, this was the account afterwards given > 
by the Indians. Not long after five persons going up i 
Saco river, were cut off by the same party of Indians. 

In the month following, the heroic Lieut. Plaisted Was i 
killed with many others, atNewichawannock, (South Ber-^ 
wick,) and in the lower part of Kittery several were cut 
off. About the same time, Lieut. Andrew Augur (or 
Alger,) and two others were uttacked by a party of In- 
dians in Scarboro'. After exchanging several shots, the 
savages left them, and set fire to the neighbouring houses* 
Lieut. Augur died soon after of the wounds received in 
the attack ; his brother Arthur was likewise killed in a 
few days not far from the same place.* Their houses 
stood in a field now owned by Judge Southgate, and near 
his residence, where kernels of corn and wheat, partially 
burned, have been found within a few years, which have 
remained undecayed since 1675. The widow of Arthur ' 
Augur removed to Marblehead, IVlass., where she execu- i 
ted a deed of a piece of land lying at Black-point, which i 
had been granted to her father, Giles Roberts, by Mr, J 
Henry Jocelyn ; the deed is dated Aug. 1676. Andrew 
Augur was among our inhabitants 1653, and received a 
grant in tbe partition of town lands in that year. As ear- 
ly as 1651, the brothers purchased a tract of 1000 acres 
in Scarboro', from the widow and two children of a Saga- 
more, according to the acknowledgement of one of them 
taken twenty years after.f Arthur leaving no heirs, 
John, the son of Lieut. Augur, inherited this property^ i^ 
which he transmitted on his decease to his five daughters. .] 
Of these Elizabeth married Mr. John Milliken, the an- 
cestor of the numerous families of that name in Scar- v 
boro' and Saco ; who purchased out the other heirs, and h 



*Hubbard. tSee Appendix E. The name of Andrew appears id | 
the. CQiurt records 1640. Above, p, 59, for -/irthur read Andrew. 



AND BIDDEroRD. 157 

at his death left the whole estate to liis sons. The tract 
lies chiefly in the parish of Dunstan, extending nearly 
two miles on the post road, and includes the valuable es- 
tate of Hon. Robert Southgate. 

In the course of the season, Capt. Wincoll, of Newicha- 
wannock, marched with a small company to the relief of 
his eastern neighbors. After one skirmish with the enemy, 
in which he lost several of his men, he was attacked by a 
party supposed to consist of 150 in all, while marching 
on the seashore. His number was only eleven, yet by 
taking shelter behind the rocks, near the water side, they 
plied their guns so well as to kill several of the Indians 
and beat off the rest. The scene of this engagement is 
not mentioned in the account, but it appears to have been 
on the eastern side of Saco river. Some of our inhabi- 

, tants, nine in number, hearing the guns, repaired to the 
relief of Wincoll, but unhappily falling into an ambush, 
were all cut off, with two others that lived near the spot. 
The Indians retired to Black-point, where they burned 
seven houses and destroyed a number of the inhabitants. 
From the commencement of hostilities to December, 

i 1675, it was computed that upwards of 50 of the Eng- 
lish settlers between the Pascataqua and the Kennebec, 
were slain in the different encounters, and nearly a hun- 
dred of the enemy. The winter setting in unusually se- 
vere, the Indians were so much pinched by cold and hun- 
ger, that they sued for peace, and with this view came to 
Major Waldron of Dover, N. H. 'expressing great sor- 

■ row for what had been done and promising to be quiet 
and submissive.' A general peace with the eastern In- 
dians was then concluded, which lasted until the succee- 

: ding August. Many captives were now restored. A- 

\ mong them was Elizabeth Wakely who had been taken 
at Casco. She was returned by Squando, the Saco Saga- 

i more, to Maj. Waldron m June. Besides the authority 

' of Hubbard for this fact, we find on record the following 
deposition, taken at Dover Feb. 15, 1723 : 

"Robert Evans testifieth, that some time in a war that 

I was called Philip's war, the now Elizabeth Scamman was 

I brought in by the Indians to Cochecho, (Dover,) and she 
went by the name of Elizabeth Weakle, and the report 
v/as that she was taken at Casco bay, her grandfather and 

I 14* 



158^ HISTORr OlF SACO 

father were killed." Elizabeth at the date of the depo- 
sition was about sixty years of age.* 

The depredations of the Indians were renewed 1 1 
August, 1676, the day before that of the death of King; 
Philip, and the consequent termination of the war in thei 
western colonies. The first outrage was committed at 
Casco, to which the Androscoggin Indians were instiga- 
ted by a notorious western savage called Simon. This 
fellow and two others who had been the actors in many 
bloody scenes in that part of the country, when the war was 
there drawing to a close fled into this quarter for safety ; 
but being taken, they were committed to Dover gaol, 
whence they contrived to make their escape. They took 
refuge among the Androscoggin tribe and soon after were 
concerned in a treacherous attack on Casco, killing and 
making prisoners of more than thirty persons. At the 
same time the settlements on the Kennebec were laid 
waste. 

The news of these depredations reaching Boston, a 
small force consisting of 130 soldiers and 40 Natick In* 
dians^ was sent down by the Government. Arriving at 
Dover, Sept. 6, they were joined by Capt. Charles Frost 
of Kittery, with his company, and there seized and dis- 
armed a large body of Indians, who had been concerned 
in the war at the westward, now at peace. They were 
assembled at the house of Major Waldron, whom they 
professed to regard as their friend and father. Their 
©umber was upwards of 400, one half of whom, known 
to have escaped from Massachusetts, were sent to Boston 
and there hanged, or sold as slaves. The rest were pea- 
ceably dismissed. The troops then marched to Casco, 
stopping at Newichawannock, Wells, Winter Harbor and 
Black-point ; they met with only two Indians in theiF 
march, but were constantly hearing of outrages in differ- 
ent places not fiir off. While they were at Casco, Mr. 
James Gooch of Wells was shot from his horse as he was 
returning from meeting, Sept. 24 ; his wife was barba- 

*She was perhaps the wife of William Scamrnan, a son of Rich- 
ard, who resided at Portsmouth 1()42. Richard married a daughter 
of William Waldron of Dover, and his son William was born iGC4. 
Farmer. Geneal. Resister. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 159 

roiisly murdered at the same time. Other deeds of vio- 
lence equally cruel were perpetrated in that vicinity, at 
York, Cape Neddick, and other places. But when the 
forces returned, the savages escaped back into the woods. 
Soon after, Octo. 12, about 100 of them, under a noted 
fellow called Mogg, (who is stated to have mingled much 
with the settlers, and was perhaps the same that sold lands 
to Major Phillips a few years before,) attacked the garri- 
son at Black-point, commanded by Mr. Jocelyn. The 
fortification in which the inhabitants were collected, was 
built near the extremity of the point, and might have been 
easily defended. Mogg being familiarly known to Mr. 
Jocelyn, held a parley with him at a short distance from the 
garrison, and offered to allow all to depart with their goods 
on the surrender of the place. When these terms were 
proposed, Mr. Jocelyn returned and found the people 
had escaped by water ; none were left but his own fami- 
ly and servants, incapable of making resistance. He was 
thus compelled to surrender. The inhabitants were 
blamed for their conduct in this affair. We are not in- 
formed what treatment the captives received from the In- 
dians. Mr. Jocelyn must have been far advanced in life at 
that time ; he is said to have removed afterwards to the 
Colony of Plymouth.* The Indians appear to have 
moved over as far as Saco river, since the house of Thos. 
Rogers near Goose-fair brook, was burned this tnonth.f 
There is a traditionary story, that Mr. Rogers removed 
to Kittery on the breaking out of the war, together with 
other inhabitants of the town, a party of whom afterwards 
came down to take away their goods. Landing at Blue- 
point, they made their way along the beach, until having 
nearly reached the house of Mr. Rogers, they were all 
cut off by a party of Indians who lay in ambush. John 
Rogers, a son of Thomas, was of the number. Their 
bodies were found by the inhabitants and buried near the 
beach. Whether this melancholy event occurred at the 
same date as the burning of Rogers' house and the capi- 
tulation of Mr. Jocelyn at Black-point, does not appear 
with certainty. It is known, however, that the inhabi- 

*Sullivan. 368. tFarmer. 



160 HISTORY OF SACO 

tants at Winter Harbor fled with their effects at this time, 
until they heard that the Indians were ^one to the east- 
ward, when they returned.* A treaty of peace was made 
by the Governor and Council late in the autumn with the 
principal sachems, who employed Mogg as their agent, by 
whom it was signed at Boston Nov. 6, 1676. 

Notwithstanding the treaty, it was suspected that the 
Indians intended to renew hostilities, and early in Febru- 
ary, an expedition under the command of iVlaj. VVal- 
dron sailed from Boston for the eastern coast. They 
touched at different places as far down as Pemaquid, : 
where a conference was held with a company of the sava- 
ges, that terminated unfavorably. Major Waldron caused 
a fort to be built on the Kennebec in which he stationed 
Capt. Sylvan us Davis with forty men. The forces re- 
turned to Boston, 1 1 March, without accomplishing much 
towards tranquilizing the country. Of the garrison left 
at Kennebec, nine were soon after cut off by surprise, ' 
and the remainder returned home in April. In the course 
of that month, several persons were killed at Wells and 
York, among them Benjamin Storer of the former place J 
the leader in the mischief was the noted Simon. In May, a 
party laid siege to the garrison of Black-point, which was 
obstinately defended for three days ; Lieut. Tappen, the 
commander, being a man of great courage, at length suc- 
ceeded in driving them off by fortunately shooting Mogg, 
the leader of the assault. They went away in canoes, 
and some of them going towards York, destroyed more 
lives in that quarter. In June, Capt. Benjamin Swett of 
Hampton, and Lieut. Richardson, were sent with a party 
of 200 friendly Indians and forty soldiers on an expe- 
dition to the Kennebec. The vessels anchored off 
Black-point, where the captain being informed some In- 
dians had been seen, went on shore with a detachment 
of his men, and being joined by some of the inhabitants, 
making 90 in ail, marched in pursuit of the enemy. They 
were discovered in three divisions on a plain : but re- 
treated until they had drawn Swett's party two miles from 
the fort, and then turning suddenly, threw them into con-- 

^Hubbard. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 161 

fusion by a bold attack. A furious battle ensued ; many 
of the soldiers being young and inexperienced in savage 
warfare, were killed while retreating towards the fort ; 
and Capt. Swett, who fought with the utmost bravery, 
was at length slain. Sixty English feli in this action, in- 
cluding a number of the inhabitants. 

The fishermen were not spared ; during this season 
more than twenty boats were taken by the savages, as 
they lay apparently secure in the harbors. ^Thus,' says 
Hubbard, 'was another summer spent in calamities and 
miserable occurrents amongst the eastern parts.' At 
length in the month of August, some forces arrived at 
Pemaquid from New York, and took possession of that 
part of the country in the name of the Duke of York ; 
after this event, the Indians discontinued their outrages, 
and even restored a number of prisoners in the autumn. 
In the spring, Major Shapleigh and Capt. Champernoon 
of Kittery, and Mr. Fryer of Portsmouth, were appoin- 
ted commissioners to settle a treaty with Squando and 
the other chiefs. The terms were agreed upon at Casco, 
where the Indians brought their prisoners. It was stipu- 
lated in the treaty that the inhabitants should be allowed 
to return to their habitation on condition of paying one 
peck of corn annually for each family, by way af ac- 
knowledgement to the Indians for the possession of their 
lands. Major Pendleton alone was required to pay one 
bushel.* Thus ended the first war with the Indians. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



The inhabitants appear to have remained at Winter 
Harbor through this war, except the temporary dispersion 
already noticed after the capitulation of Mr. Jocelyn at 
Black-point. Some, however, removed who did not af- 
terwards reside here. In this number was Maj. Phillips, 

^ *B8lkn.N.H. i.m. 



lei 



HISTORY OF SACO 



of whom we propose to give a brief account. A Wil- 
liam Phillips was admitted freeman at Boston 1640. And' 
in 1654, Lieut. Wm. Phillips, junior, was authorized bf 
the Gen. Court "to collect the excise on wines, and to 
have deputies under him."* Our townsman was styled 
Lieutenant on his first coming here, with the addition of 
vintner. The name of Piiillips was then, as at the pre- 
sent day, borne by distinct families. The Rev. GeorgCj- 
who settled at Watertown 1630, the ancestor of the late 
Lieut. Governor of Mass., was not related to our towns- 
man, so far as it can be ascertained. f Phillips removed 
to this place 1660, and soon after sold his house in Bos-' 
ton to Maj. Thomas Savage. It stood at the North-end oni 
Salem street, where he owned 18 acres of real estate. J 
Beside speculating in wild lands, now the seats of cultiva- 
ted towns, Maj. Phillips became extensively (for those 
times) engaged in lumbering. The year after his remo- 
val he purchased J of Capt. Spencer's sawmill, and the: 
next year employed Capt. John Alden, his son in law, to 
build another, conveying to him J after it was completed; 
In 1667, we find him conveying half of 'the island against 
the mill,' (now factory island) to Capt. John Bonython, 
for the consideration of 800 pine trees, suitable to make 
merchantable boards. The spring after, he engages to 
pay Mr. Richard Hutcliinson of London, merchant, 151/. 
sterling, 'in good merchantable pine boards at the saw 
mills at Saco falls.' He also had a grist mill, situated 
near his sawmill. 

It is impossible to look over the records of the town 
during his residence here, without perceiving that much 
deference was shown by the inhabitants to Maj. Phillips 
in all their affairs. As the proprietor of the patent, he 
had great power in his hands. Most of the early settlers 
who had lands from Mr. Vines, found it necessary to ob- 
tain a confirmation of their tides from him. He seems 
to have enforced a rigid respect from the inferior plan- 
ters ; there is a tradition that a man was fined for saying, 



*Mass. Colony Records. IMS. Genealogry. Sullivan, 221, state* 
otherwise. That he appeared among the freemen of Saco 1053, w 
aaother error of the historian, 221. ^Suffolk Recordi, 



AND BIDDEFORD. 163 

^^Major PhilUps^s horse is as lean as an Indian dog^ He 
took the part of Gorges in the dispute with Mass., the 
Lord proprietor having confirmed to him his Indian pur- 
chases.* 

His principal tract was bought of the Sagamore Fluel- 
len 1661, eight miles square. It now comprises nearly 
the towns of Sandford, Alfred, and Waterboro. One 
half of this tract, called the 19000 acres, he divided in 
1676 among the following persons, viz. Samuel, his oldest, 
and William, his youngest sons ; Mary Field, Martha 
Thurston, Rebecca Lord, Elizabeth Alden, and Sarah 
Turner, his daughters ; Zachary Gillum, Robert Lord, 
of London, mariner, and Ephraim Turner, his sons in 
law ; Elephel Stratton, Peleg, John, and Elisha Sand- 
ford, his wife's children by a former marriage ; John 
Jolliffe, John Woodman, Elisha Hutchinson, Theodore 
Atkinson, and William Hudson, all of Boston ; to each 
1000 acres. This moiety of the Fluellen tract was de- 
signed by Maj. Phillips to be settled as a township by his 
children, but owing to the wars, it was not taken up un- 
til the following century, when the grantees were proba- 
bly all deceased. It was incorporated under the name of 
Phillipstown ; this name was afterwards (1768) chan- 
ged to the present of Sandford. Phillips provided for 
his son Nathaniel, merchant, of Boston, by giving him a 
deed of a tract thus described : abutting southwesterly 
on Saco river, between the upland of Capt. Pendleton 
and the island of Christopher Hobbs, being an extent of 
IJ miles, and running back 4 miles to the patent line, to- 
gether with a neck of land, called Parker's neck, situa- 
ted at the mouth of the Pool. 

Maj. Phillips married a lady whose first husband was 
John Sandford, who removed from Boston to Rhode 
Island 1 637, and was afterwards secretary of that colo- 
ny. Peleg Sanford, a son of Mrs. Phillips, was govern- 
or of Rhode Island 1680-1-2, three years. Elisha 
Hutchinson, her son in law, was an Assistant, and under 



*Greenleaf, (Moses,) Statistical Views, &c p. 394, confounds Ma- 
jipr Phillips with Walter Phillips, who about the same period purchas- 
ed lands from t^e natives east of the Kennebec. 



164 HISTORY OF SACO 

the charter of 1 692, a counsellor of Mass. Bay. The 
celebrated historian and governor of that Province was 
his grandson.* J. Jolliffe and J. Woodman, also connec-^ 
ted with this family, were men of some note in Massa* 
chusetts. Beside the Fluellen tract, Maj. Phillips pur- 
chased from another sagamore of Saco river, called 
Hobinowill, the lands lying above Salmon falls as far as; 
Capt. Sunday's rocks ; including the upper part of the 
present town of Hollis and a portion of Limington. The : 
former town was incorporated nearly a century after the 
purchase as Phillipsburg. Sunday's rocks from their 
shining appearance were supposed to be impregnated 
with silver. Phillips obtained a deed of them from 
Capt. Sunday, an Indian, of Newichawannock, in 1664. 
They were described as 'Three hills of rocks,' and are 
supposed to be in Limington. They contain large por- 
tions of mica or isinglass, a substance of no value. We 
find Phillips selling out parts of this 'silver mine,' to ; 
several gentlemen of Boston : Capt. Thos. Clarke, Edw. . 
Tying, Edw. Downe, and others. He hkewise convey- 
ed a 1-16 part to his son Nathaniel. 

Before the year 1670, Maj. Phillips sold several large 
tracts of land, lying partly within the patent. The first, 
having Swan-pond creek for its southern boundary, eX^ 
tended one mile on the river, and contained 1000 acres; 
to Richard Hutchinson. The second comprised 1 500 
acres, adjoining the former ; to Edw. Tyng. The third, 
2000 acres, bounded on the south by Tyng's, to Richard 
Russell, of Charlestown. The fourth, three square 
miles joining Russell's, to Maj. Gen. John Leverett. He 
also conveyed to his sons in law. Turner and Gyllum, 500 
acres bounded on the south by West's brook. 

Major Phillips describes himself in a deed executed 
June 1776, 'now of Boston, late of Saco.' He proba* 
bly removed soon after the burning of his liouse and mills 
by the savages the year previous. He died in Boston 
1683. By his last will, he bequeathed his lands and saw- 
mill at Saco in equal proportions to his wife, and sons 
Samuel and William, reserving |, which had been sold to 

^Farmer's Genealogical Register. 



AN© BIDDEFORD. 165 

W. Taylor for Mr. Harmon of Fayal, and a lot near the 
Falls, sold to Wm. Frost. One halfofBonython's island, 
and Cow island, were included in the bequest. Samuel 
sold his part of the estate to Capt. George Turfrey 1691. 
William, at the date of the will, had been detained four 
years "in captivity among the Spaniards" ; his children 
inherited his share of the property at a subsequent pe- 
riod. 

Brian Pendleton, another conspicuous inhabitant, came 
to New England with the early colonists of Mass. Bay, 
and settled at VVatertown, He was admitted freeman 
1634, and was sent a deputy to the General Court from 
Watertown in the years 1636-7-8-9, and 1647-8. He 
resided two years at Sudbury in the same vicinity, and 
was among the selectmen of that place.* In 1646, he 
was a member of the company of Artillery now so justly 
styled the 'Ancient and Honorable,' and held the com- 
mission of captain at the same time. A few years after, 
about 1650, Capt. Pendleton removed to Portsmouth, 
N. H., from which town he went deputy to the Gen. 
Court several terms, the last in 1663. While resident 
at Portsmouth, he was engaged in commerce, and ac- 
quired a handsome estate. Rev. Seth Fletcher married 
Mary, his only daughter, before 1655. The selectmen of 
Portsmouth 1657, were Brian Pendleton, John Cutt, 
Richard Cutt, William Seavy, and Henry Sherburne ; 
who were empowered by the town to build a new mee- 
ting house. The Rev. Joshua IVIoody, an eminent divine, 
settled there three years after, whose friendship Pendleton 
enjoyed. In 1661, the selectmen "granted liberty to 
Capt. Pendleton to set up his windmill upon the Fort 
point, towards the beach [Great Island], because the mill 
is of such common and public use."f 

The earliest purchase of Pendleton at Winter Harbor 
was in 1658, when Mr. Jordan sold to him and Capt. 
Roger Spencer of Charlestown, the valuable tract of land 
below the mouth of the river now well known as Fletcher's 
Neck, containing about 200 acres, a part of the patent of 



^Farmer, quoting Shattuck. MS. Hist. Concord, Mass. t Adams. 
Annals. Ports. 

15 



166 HISTORY OF SACO 

Mr. Vines. Execution was levied on this property under 
the jurisdiction of Lygonia, in satisfaction of a debt due; 
from Mr. Vines to Mr. Jordan, as was subsequently de- 
posed by J. Smith, the marshal. Two years after the 
purchase, Spencer conveyed his part to Pendleton, "to- 
gether with all the houses, gardens, orchards, he. upon 
the Neck ;" the former then residing there. In 1665, J 
Capt. Pendleton removed to this place, and took up hisi 
abode on the Neck, which was for many years called! 
'Pendleton's Neck.' We have already noticed the va- 
rious civil and military appointments he received while 
an inhabitant of the Province. He was uniformly on the 
side of Mass. in the disputes with that Colony, to which 
he had early taken the oath of allegiance. They appoin- 
ted him major, or commander, ot the forces in the Pro- 
vince 1668 ; how long he sustained the commission does 
not appear ; but in the war that followed a few years af- 
ter, he seems not to have acted in that capacity. The 
following record, in the handwriting of Major Pendleton, 
furnishes the last notice of him contained in the town- 
book : "Aug. 14, 1676. A town meeting to choose a 
commissioner to carry a list of the estate of the town in 
reference to a rate ninefold. B. Pendleton is chosen 
commissioner if trouble do not prevent." This was three 
days only after the attack on Casco, in which a large 
number of the inhabitants were killed and taken prisoners. 
The next year he was at Portsmouth, as appears from 
an instrument executed in August. His only son, James 
Pendleton, was at that time among the principal inhabi- 
tants of that town, but soon after removed to Stonington,, 
Conn., where his descendants are now found. 

On the termination of the war, and the revival of the 
provincial government under President Danforth, Maj. 
Pendleton was again invested with authority in the Pro- 
vince, as we have already seen. He signed a petition to 
the King as deputy-president in 1680, (praying for aid in 
'rebuilding the waste and desolate towns,')* and died not 
long afterwards. His will was proved in April, 1681. He' 
bequeathed his estate to his wife, son and grandchildren ; 

*Ma6s. Records. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 167 

his daughter probably died some years before. As early 
as 1671, he adopted her only child, Pendleton Fletcher, 
and granted to hini the property at Winter harbor, de- 
scribed as follows : "All the Neck of land on which he 
(Brian Pendleton) now lives, extending as far as the Mill 
[Booth's] together with Wood and Gibbins' islands, 19J 
acres of meadow land on the western side of Little river, 
with 100 acres of upland belonging to it, the meadow 
compassing about Scadlock's island, together with 2j 
acres on the other side of the river, and his dwelling- 
house he. on it, provided that if he (his grandson and 
now adopted son) die before of age, or after without heir, 
it go to his son James and his children ; reserving the 
whole to himself and wife while they live." He then 
appoints "his beloved friends, Joshua Moody and Rich- 
ard Martine feoffees in trust for the estate, and guardians 
to the child during his minority, after his own death, if 
he die before the child come to age." The residue of 
his landed estates was disposed of by will in the follow- 
ing manner : To his wife his housing and land at Cape 
Porpoise ; to his son, 600 acres on Saco river, compri- 
sing 100 purchased from John West 1659, 300 purcha- 
sed from Phillips 1673, and 200 received from the latter 
in exchange for Cow island ; to his grandchild, James 
jr. 110 acres at Cape Porpoise ; to his two grandchil- 
dren, Mary and Hannah Pendleton, his housing and land 
at Wells ; and, by a codicil, to his grandson Brian Pen- 
dleton a portion of his property at Portsmouth. 

Pendleton Fletcher took possession of the estate be- 
queathed to him by his grandfather about 1680. In the 
subsequent war with the Indians, he was taken prisoner 
together with his two sons, and died in captivity. His 
widow, Mrs. Sarah Fletcher, administered on his estate 
1700, two years after his capture. The Neck was at 
that time appraised at £300. Mi-s. Fletcher married a 
second husband, of the name of Brown, and died 1726, 
at the age of sixty five. One of the sons, Pendleton, 
was rescued from the hands of the enemy, and became a 
leading townsman, as will hereafter appear. Mr. Fletch- 
er left also two daughters who were married to Malhew 
Robinson of Winter Harbor, and Samuel Hatch of Wells. 



168 HISTORY OF SACO 

The burial of "Mr. Wm. Fletcher, January 30, 1667- 
8," is recorded in the totvn book. It is not unlikely that 
he was the father of the minister. We deem it projier 
to add to the account of this family, that the (ew descen- 
dants now living, have a tradition that their ancestor who 
married the daughter of Maj. Pendleton, was a common 
laborer in his service,- although they agree that his namei 
was Seth. This circumstance shows the uncertain reli- 
ance to be placed on oral traditions; for the evidence ofi 
records very clearly proves the truth of what we have? 
stated on this subject. 

Benjamin Blackman, an extensive proprietor on the; 
eastern side of the river, next requires our notice. He; 
was a son of Rev. Adam Blackman, who came to New 
England 1639, and united in the setdement of Stratford,, 
Conn. This gentleman had been a clergyman of some! 
note in England, but seceding from the established church, y 
fled to this country, in the words of Cotton Mather, "from 
the storm that began to look black upon him." He died 
at Stratford 1669.^ Benjamin graduated at Harvard 
College 1663. He studied divinity, and after passing a 
few years at Stratford, preached some time at Maiden, J 
Mass. which place he left 1678. f He married Rebecca,', 
daughter of Joshua Scottow, Esq. of Boston, 1 April,, 
1675. Mr. Scottow purchased Cammock's patent ati 
Black-point from H. Jocelyn, Esq. 1666, and six yearsi 
before, the farm of Abraham Jocelyn, who lived many 
years on the hill in Scarboro' now called Scottoway. In 
1680, Mr. Blackman received from his father in law ai 
deed of a tract of land near the ferry place at Black-- 
point, to -which he removed. The next year, a commit-- 
tee was chosen by the town of Scarboro' to agree witlii 
him to be their minister for the year ensuing, and in 1682, 
he was invited to settle in that capacity. There is no i 
doubt therefore that he preached there, though he de- 
clined a setdement.J 



*3f S. Letter from D. Brooks, Esq. of Stratford. fFarmer's Geneal.. 
Register. 

tScarboro' Records. In 1684 Mr. Burridore of that town was ap- 
pointed "to go and see for a min.'ster." Mr. Greenleaf, Eccl. Sketches, 
p. 44. mistakes the record, and makes that ^/orthy townsman a minis- 
ter of Scarboro'. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 160 

In 1683, Mr. Blackman was an inhabitant of Saco, 
and chosen to represent the town in the General Assem- 
bly of the Province under tlie administration of Dan- 
forth. His first purchase in this town was 1680, and al- 
though but 100 acres in extent, embraced all the mill 
privileges on the eastern side of the river. He erected 
a sawmill at that time, as he petitioned the Gen. Assem- 
bly Aug. 1681, for 'liberty to cut timber upon the com- 
mons for accommodation of his saw-mill, lying on the 
east side of Saco river'. The Pepperell mill now stands 
on the same privilege, east of the island, where the falls 
are still known to the old inhabitants by the name of 
Blackman's falls. Three years after he purchased a tract 
on the river containing about six hundred and forty acres 
from J. Bonython. The next year he made a second 
purchase from Gibbins, including the 100 acres ; extending 
3J miles above the falls. In Bonython's deed, Blackman 
is described to be the 'agent of some men of Andover,' 
and Gibbins sets forth that "there has been a motion of 
several men at the westward to remove themselves to 
Saco river, and settle upon the eastern side" : but al- 
though the purchases were completed, it does not appear 
that the intended movement was made. The renewal of 
the troubles with the Indians doubtless prevented. Mr. 
Blackman seems then to have returned to Boston or its 
vicinity. The last notice of him in our records is as one 
of a committee to wait on the Rev. Mr. Milburne, to so- 
licit his continuance another year, in 1686. 

His father in law, Mr. Scottow, resided on his estate at 
Black-point during the same period. A proposal made 
by him to the town of Scarborough in 1681, deserves to 
be noticed. He offered them 100 acres of land 'upon the 
plains,' on which they were to build a fortification and 
settle in a compact form ; allowing two acres for each 
family, and liberty to cut wood from another ]00 acres. 
The houses were to be set in a range, and not to approach 
nearer than eight rods to the fortification ; the houselots 
not to exceed J an acre, and the rest of the land to be laid 
out in four common fields and pastures. The condition 
of the grant was an annual rent of 12d. to Mr. Scottow 
"as being their demesne lord." The inhabitants at their 
15* 



170 HISTORY OF 3AC0 

meeting in March, 1682, voted unanimously to accept^ 
this proposal, and to go forthvvidi about building the tbrti-i 
fication. In 1685, a townmeeting is recorded to have^ 
been holden*at the fortification on the plains' ; but thej 
next year, the agreement with Scottovv was rendered null 
and void by a vote of the town.* Mr. Scottow had a son 
Thomas, who was chosen commissioner 1688. He com- 
manded the fortification the following year. The father 
died 1698 at Boston ; his executors were his sons in law, 
Maj. Thomas Savage and Capt. Sanauel Checkly.f The 
whole property at Black-point, including Cammock's pa- 
tent, and the farm of Abraham Jocelyn, containing 200) 
acres, was sold by Checkly to Timothy Prout, Esq. in 
1728. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



The limits of the town are supposed to have been ori- 
ginally of equal extent with those of the patents ; but as 
the bounds of the latter were not accurately determined 
until after the town lines were established by the Mass. au- 
thorities, a considerable portion of both grants, especially 
that of Lewis and Bonython, lies in the adjoining towns. 
The following return is the earliest we find relating to this 
subject : "We whose names are here underwritten, being 
appointed by the General Court of Massachusetts, are 
empowered to lay out the dividing bounds between the 
towns Cape Porpus, Saco, Scarborough, and Falmouth, 
and upon due consideration thereof do determine as fol- 
loweth. That the dividing bounds between Cape Por- 
pus and Saco shall be the river called Litde river, next .| 
unto William Scadlock's now dwellinghouse unto the first 
falls of said river; from thence upon a due northwest 
line into the country until eight miles be expired. The 



*Scarboro' Records. 12 Mass. Hist. Coll. iv. 100. The name was 
sometimes written Scottoway. Church's Wars, 103. 2d edition. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 171 

dividing bounds between Saco and Scarborough shall be 
that river comtnonly called the Liille river noxt unto 
Scarborough, and from the mouth of said river shall run 
Uj3on a due northwest line into ihe country unto the ex- 
tent of eight miles. (Signed.) Nicholas Shapleigh, Ed- 
ward Rishworth, Abrabam Preble. Octo. 18, 1659." 
These boundaries have been adhered to from that period 
to the present. 

The mouth of Little river next to Scarboro' having 
shifted its position from time to time, the bounds on that side 
have accordingly fluctuated ; and it is now quite un- 
certain where the line as originally run, met the sea. 
There is some reason to suppose that this small stream, 
or creek, formerly discharged at least one hundred rods 
eastward of the present line. Had the extent of the 
eastern patent been known, it is probable the commission- 
ers would have made that of the town to correspond. 
The patent line was run 1681 ; it is now from 200 to 
220 rods distant from the town line. More than 3000 
acres of the township granted to Mr. Lewis and Capt. 
Bonython, thus lie in Scarborough ; all of which mani- 
festly belongs to Saco. Great inconvenience arises to 
the inhabitants of both towns who own lands within the 
patent, on its eastern side, as they almost invariably fall 
in part within the limits of the two towns ; the line of 
the patent having been necessarily adopted as the boun- 
dary of these estates. 

Some of the heirs of Lewis and Bonython petitioned 
the Gen. Court for a division of the patent in 1674. A 
committee was then appointed to inquire into their claims, 
who reported as follows : "1. We find a patent appertain- 
ing unto Richard Foxwell and Richard Cummings. 2. 
From thence we find that they challenge a patent right 
four miles by sea side eight into the country, whereof 
they claim 1-4 by deed made them by Capt. R. Bony- 
thon, whose daughters they married, in consideration of 
their fortunes of 100 marks each, which by him, the 
father, was received of theirs when they were in England. 
That Capt. Richard Bonython did settle upon the north 
side of Sacadehock, Saco river, as did Thomas Lewis, 
who had possession given them by Edward Hilton, who 



172 HISTORY OF SACOr 

by order was commissioned thereunto. We do not find 
any orderly bounding or laying out of said patent." The 
committee consisted of Rich. Waldron of Dover, Spea- 
ker of the House ; J. Wincoll, and E. Rishworth." A 
division was afterwards ordered, and made with the con- 
sent of the parties, of which the following is a copy, 

"We, John Wincoll, John Penvvill, and Abraham Pre- 
ble, being chosen by mutual consent of James Gibbins, 
John Bonython, Philip Foxwell, and John Harmon, heirs 
and proprietors of that patent land granted to Lewis and 
Bonython, as by their agreement obligatory bearing date 
Nov. 12, 1680, may appear, for equally dividing said land 
between them, we accordingly on Sept. 19, 1681, came 
and measured the lower part next Saco river 142 poles 
north west from the foot line unto a certain small water 
run, called Haley's Gut, being the ancient bound marked 
between the aforesaid Bonython or his father, and the 
said Gibbins, and from said Haley's Gut upon a north east 
by north line unto the middle line of said patent, together 
with that triangular piece of land lying next Saco river 
and below the north east and south west line of the pa- 
tent, which contains 400 acres of land next the sea, alt 
which is to belong to said Gihblns for his first division. 

2. From Haley's Gut we measured 592 poles north 
west unto a little brook a little below Mr. Blackman'^s 
mill, and thence north east by north to the middle line 
aforesaid, which is two miles, and it belongs to John Bo- 
nython for his first division. 

3. We measured two miles and 50 poles north west 
from Thomas Rogers' garden by the sea in the mid- 
dle line aforesaid, and from the end of that said two 
miles and fifty poles, two miles north east to the line of 
the patent next Blue-point, the aforesaid 50 poles above 
the two miles north west in Keu of the half of the afore- 
said triangle of land next Saco river mouth, which is to 
belong to Philip Foxwell and John Harmon for their first 
division. 

4. We measured from the north west end of the afore- 
said two miles and 50 poles, two miles wanting 50 poles 

*Mas». Records. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 173 

north west in the aforesaid middle line unto a maple tree, 
and from thence two miles north east to the outside line 
of the patent, to James Gibbins for his second division. 

5. The next division is to run from the aforesaid little 
brook below Mr. Blackman's mill in Saco river 3J miles 
and 18 poles north west, and from thence two miles north 
east to the middle line of the patent, to belong to Gib- 
bins for his third division. 

6. From the north west end of the aforesaid 3J miles 
and 18 poles, J. Bonython is to run two miles 48 poles 
next Saco river to the north west end of the patent, and 
thence two miles north east along the head line of the 
patent to the middle line, for his second division. 

7. The next division on the north east side of said pa- 
tent is to begin at the north west end of the aforesaid four 
miles in length already measured, and to be two miles 
square — for Foxwell and Harmon's second division. 

8. The last division of the north east side of the pa- 
tent is to begin at the north west end of the first two miles 
square, and to be also two miles square to the head of said 
patent, and to belong to Gibbins for his fourth division. 
Acknowledged by the Proprietors, Sept. 23, 1681."* 

It hence appears that one half of the patent was set ofT 
to Gibbins, as the heir of JVIr. Lewis; the other moiety 
to the heirs of Capt. Bonython, viz. his son, who had a 
double portion, and the heirs of his two daughters. 

The purchases of Mr. Blackman were made not long 
after the division. Mr. Gibbins's deed runs as follows : 
^'Whereas there have been some motions by several of 
the men at the westward to remove themselves to Saco 
river and settle upon the eastern side, and in order there- 
unto have by Benj. Blackman been encouraged by dis- 
bursing moneys in part payment of a purchase of land of 
James Gibbins, now therefore I, James Gibbins, of Saco, 
in the Province of Maine, yeoman, with assent and con- 
sent of my wife Judith, for and in consideration of a 
valuable sum to me in hand paid he. have given he. un- 
to Benj. Blackman, clerk, in the same town resident, a 
tract of land lying and being upon the said river of Saco, 



*See ^he Plan of this Division. 



174 HISTORY OF SACO 

beginning at a small run on the north of Mr. Bonython's 
old plantation, extending itself up the said river three 
miles and an half and eighteen poles, and back from the 
river two miles, being the whole second division of the 
Patent land laid out to me, the said James," &ic. Dated 
12 Dec. 1683. Signed, sealed, and delivered, in pre- 
sence of Hubertus Mattoon* and John Sharpe. It was 
afterwards acknowledged before Joshua Scottow, Justice 
of the Peace. 

Bonython's deed of the same date commences — "To 
all Christian People, Greeting ; Whereas there have been 
some transactions between Messrs. J. Bonython of Saco, 
and B. Blackman resident in the said town, in behalf of 
some men of Andover, in order to their removal ; and 
being willing to encourage them, I did promise to their 
agent abovesaid a tract of land, now therefore know all 
men," &£C. He then conveys a tract thus described ; 
*'One tract of land lying and being upon the east side of 
Saco river, bounded by a small brook northward, which 
parts my patent division from the division of J. Gibbins, 
westward with said river, southward with a small brook 
to the northward of Nicholsf his house." Witnessed by 
John Hill, (son of Roger,) William Marline. 

Mr. Blackman thus became the proprietor of about 
one fourth partof the Patent, including the present site of 
the village (Saco,) and all the mill privileges on the eas- 
tern side of the river. Three years after he conveyed a 
portion of it to S. Sheafe, by a deed which runs as fol- 
lows : "Know all men by these presents that I, B. Black- 
man of Stratford, now resident in Saco in the Province 
of Maine, &ic. have granted &ic. un^to Mr. Sampson 
Sheafe of Boston, merchant, one third part of a tract of 
land by me bought of J. Gibbins and J. Bonython, &lc. 
being six thousand acres more or less, being bounded 
southeasterly with a brook commonly called Nichols* 
brook, northeastwardly with two miles from the great 
river, and northwestwardly with the extent of three miles 
and an half and eighteen poles above the sawmill Falls, and 



"^This person was made freeman at Kittery 16-^2; he had probably 
remov^ed to Saco. tBrother in law to J, Boaytiion. See above, p. IIG. 



AND BIDDEFORR. 175 

south we stwardly by the great river, as also the herbage, 
commonage lor timber, and all other tilings growing upon 
4000 acres of huid or tliereabouts, lying upon the north- 
east side of the land above said, as also one third part of 
a savvmlll standing upon Saco river falls, built by said 
Elackuian upon the proper account of Mr. S. Sheafe 
aforesaid, nierchant," k.c. Dated 9 March, 1C85-6 ; 
witnessed by Mathew Middleton. 

About the same time, Blackman sold out another one 
third part to Samuel Walker of Boston, mariner, who to- 
gether with Sheafe had a share m the mills erected by 
Blackman.* 

Mr. Sheafe soon after relinquished his purchase to Mr. 
Walker, who thus became possessed of two thirds of the 
original tract. Sheafe's deed to Walker, dated 26 March, 
1687, recites the boundaries of the two tracts as descri- 
bed in the deeds from Gibbins and Bonython ; he also 
conveys to Walker "one third part of a sawmill and one 
third part of a gristmill standing upon Saco river falls, 
built by me the said Sampson Sheafe, Samuel Walker, 
and Benj. Blackman in equal thirds, &ic. together with one 
third part of twelve oxen formerly purchased in thirds 
and belonging to the premises," &z;c. Acknowledged be- 
fore William Stoughton, one of his Majesty's Council, at 
Boston. 

The first planters being seated near the seaboard, the 
readiest mode of communication with the different set- 
tlements was by water. For many years there was no 
road except along the shore, and in 1653, tlie Mass. com- 
missioners alleged this deficiency as a reason for not tra- 
velling from Wells to Saco, to receive the submission of 
the inhabitants. It was ordered by them "that the inhabi- 
tants of Wells, Saco and Cape Porpoise, shall make suf- 
ficient highways within their towns from house to house, 
and clear and fit for foot and cart, before the next county 



^Samuel Walker attested the deed mentioned above, p. 158, of Anne 
Alger to her cousins John and Abraham Roberts, dated at Mar- 
blehead 1676 ; and afterwards married her. As Anne Walker, she 
asserted a title to one half of the Augur right in Scarboro'. It is 
highly probable, that the second husband of Anne was the associate 
of Blackman and Sheafe. 



176 HISTOllY OF SACO 

court under the penalty of ten pounds for every town^Si 
defect in this particular, and that they lay out a sufficient 
highway for horse and foot between towns and towns > 
within that time." In 1658 the court, having adjourned 
from York to the house of Mr. Jordan at Spurwink, pass- 
ed an order respecting the highway between Saco and 
Little [C. Porpoise] rivers. An effort was made in 1673, 
to render the roads more direct; the towns were order-- 
ed "to mark out forthwith the most convenient way from 
Wells to Say ward's mills [C. Porpoise,] from thence to 
Saco Falls, from Saco Falls to Scarborough above Dun- 
ston [landing,] and from Scarborough unto Falmouth,, 
every town marking out their own part within their own 
extent." Under this order, Page and Gibbins were ap-« 
pointed by the townsmen 'to lay out the upper way to 
Dunston', and Maj. Phillips 'to mark out the way to Hen- 
ry Sayward's mills.' 

Travellers crossed Saco river near its mouth, where a 
ferry was regularly kept, distinguished in later times as 
the lower ferry, when another was established near the 
Falls. The first ferryman was Henry Waddock, who 
was licensed in 1654, and probably earlier also, 'to keep 
an ordinary, to entertain strangers for their money,' and! 
allowed 'to receive 2c?. from every one he set over the 
river.' The last renewal of his license was 1672, the 
year before his death. Mr. Booth was also permitted to 
keep an ordinary, on the other side of the river. Thorn-' 
as Haley, on the same side, succeeded Waddock as fer- 
ryman. He was ordered by the court of 1673, "for the 
more secure transportation of travellers, for men and hor- 
ses, to provide a good sufficient boat fit for carrying per- 
sons and their horses, large enough to carry over three ■ 
horses at one time." Humphry Scamman, who purcha-- 
sed Waddock's estate a few years after his decease, took: 
charge of the ferry and entertained travellers. Com- 
plaints were still brought against the town for the want of I, 
good roads. In 1687 we find the following order of the i| 
court : "Whereas the townsmen of Saco being summon- \ 
ed to answer for their not keeping a sufficient highway ' 
from Scamman's ferry to the town of Cape Porpoise,] 
Roger Hill appearing in behalf of said town, it was ordered 



AND BIDDEFORD. 177 

tLat the old foot-path on the western side of Saco river 
be the King's highway, to be laid out and fenced at the 
charge of the town." It would seem that the new road, 
above the old one, marked out twelve or fifteen years be- 
fore, was out of repair, and that the inhabitants chose to 
return to the latter. This road was chiefly on the sea- 
shore, taking advantage of the beach and of level ground, 
free from trees and other obstructions. There was a ferry 
at that time near the mouth of Scarboro' river. The 
intervening streams of Goose-fair and Little river were 
easily fopded ; hence the term wading places, applied to 
the parts usually crossed. 

Carriages were of course unknown in those days ; few 
of the inhabitants even owned horses, if we may judge 
from the following record : "July the 28, 1674. At a 
meeting of the selectmen as followeth : 1. Maj. Pendle- 
tons black horse is allowed on. 2. Lieut. James Gib- 
bins is horse is allowed on. 3. John Waddocks horse 
is allowed on. 4. Richard Cummins horse is allowed on. 
5. John Harmons horse is allowed on." To this num- 
ber an addition was soon after made : "Aug. 17, 1674^ 
Humphry Case hath boate a mare and coult of James 
Were this seventene day of August, 74. H. Case, town 
clarck." 

In 1675, a number of the inhabitants petitioned the 
General Court for the grant of a township above the pa- 
tents ; a tract six miles square was accordingly granted 
to the petitioners : Maj. Pendleton, John Leighton, Rich- 
ard Cumming, John Carter, and others. They without 
doubt intended to form a new settlement, which the war 
prevented. 

From 1676 to 1680, the records of the town were pro- 
bably not continued. They re-commence June 12, 1680, 
as follows : "At a town meeting he. John Abbot is ac- 
cepted into the town and to enjoy town privileges. Hum- 
phry Scamman is accepted into this town, and to enjoy all 
town liberties. J. Abbot is chosen dark of the town and 
to keep the town book." The next year, Abbot, Scam- 
man, and Richard Peard were chosen 'for townsmen' ; 
Jqhn Leighton surveyor ; Pendleton Fletcher constable ; 
16 



178 HISTORY OF SACO 






John Bonython 'surveyor for the north side of the river' ; 
J. Abbot town clerk. 

"Dec. 8, 1681. The townsmen made choice of Mis- 
ter Blackman, John Harmon, and J. Abbot, to lay out 
land in our town." The following grants were made at 
that time : "Granted to George Page to have ten acres of 
upland on the western side of the river. Granted to 
Thomas Haley as much land as to make his house lot 
fifty acres. Granted to Phineas Hull to have sixty acres 
of upland on the eastern side of the Little river falls 
where now his mill stands, [Phineas Hull lived at Kitte-» 
ry 1671 ; probably a son of Rev. Joseph Hull, sometime 
a minister at Weymouth, Mass. and afterwards at the Isle 
of Shoals.] Granted to J. Abbot to have forty acres of 
upland adjoining to his lot of land that he bought of Ar- 
thur Wormstall on the south west side of his wood lot^ 
with that scrap of marsh from wind mill hill to John Ruels 
ditch on the pines. Granted to Roger Hill twenty acres 
of land at the head of [that] lot. Granted to H. Scam- 
man ten acres of land. William Daget is granted ten 
acres of land at the head of his father Wormstall's lot. 
Granted to Mister Blackman to have 100 acres of upland 
where he can find it out of any man's lot in the commons 
that is not yet disposed of in the town. Granted to Mo- 
ses Bennet ten acres of upland where he can find it in 
our township not to intrude upon any man's land." 

"At a legal townmeeting held at Winter Harbor on the 
19th day of June, in the year 1683, the feeeholders of 
the aforesaid town chose Mr. Benjamin Blackman De* 
puty for the year." "At a town meeting legally held by ' 
the freeholders of our town on the 10 of May, being 
Saturday, 1684, chosen, W. Daget constable for this year, 
chosen H. Scamman for the jury of trials, and J. Sargent, 
P. Hull, Francis Backus, J. Bowden, and P. Fletcher, 
Townsmen for this year. Mr. B. Blackman chosen com- 
missioner to attend his Majesty's occasions at Falmouth,^ 
chosen at a legal meeting held at Saco." The select- 
men 1685, were Lieut. John Davis, R. Hill, P. Fletcher, J 
J. Bonython, J. Sharpe. The next year William Dyer^ 
was chosen constable ; Geo. Page, Juryman ; B. Black 



AND BIDDEFORD. 179 

man, R. Hill, F. Backus, J. Edgecomb, P. Fletcher, 
Selectmen. 

The following list of the rates paid by the inhabitants 
is without date, but appears to have been taken about 
1G70. It is probably not entire. Pendleton IZ. 45. 4rf. ; 
Bonython IZ. 35. lOd. ; J. Davis 25. 4d. ; William Lus- 
com 35. 6d. ; Arthur Hewes 2s. ; J. Smith 65. 4d. ; C, 
Hobbs 45.; Michael Naziter25. ; J. Gibbins IZ. 35. 4d.; 
N. Buly 55. Id. ; N. Buly jr. 2s. 4d. ; John Carter 2s, 
6d.; Edgecomb 85.2^. ; Waddock 155. ; R. Hill 125.; 
Bouden 45. ; Robert Temple 65. ; John Anderson 25. ; 
W. Mare 65. ; John Sargent 1/. ; Hitchcock 145. ; Worm- 
stall 135.; Helson 35. ; Williams 125.; Trustrum 145.; 
Edward Sargent 35. 6d. ; Penuel 55. 4d. ; Leighton 25. ; 
Cumniing IZ. 35. 6d, ; T. Rogers 145. ; Harmon I65. ; 
Haley 35. 

It is impossible to collect, at this late period, the names 
of all the early inhabitants of the town. Those we have 
found previous to 1690, not already noticed, will now 
be given, with the year in which they first occur, and a 
brief account of the faniilies, where it can be furnished. 

Thomas Mills, fisherman, received a grant of land from 
Vines 1642. He was on a jury of inquest 1661. 

John Leighton was fined by the court of 1645. His 
son, John jr. married Martha, a daughter of Rob. Booth, 
1663. Their son James was born 1675. A branch of 
this family early settled in the part of Kittery now Eliot, 
near the meetinghouse, where the descendants are living 
on the old estate. A John Leighton died there 1724, 
whose grandson, William, married a daughter of Rev. 
John Rogers, minister of that parish, 1747. 

Peter Hill, a planter, was a member of the Assembly 
of Lygonia 1648; he had probably settled here several 
years earlier, with his son Roger, who was among the 
freemen in 1653. It does not appear that he had other 
children, as the numerous families of the name now liv- 
ing in our towns, with one or two exceptions, derive their 
descent from Roger. He died in August, 1667. Roger 
Hill married Mary Cross, probably of Wells, 1658 ; their 
children, born 1661-79, were Sara, Hannah, John, Sam- 
vjel, Joseph, Mercy, Benjamin, and Ebenezer. The 



380 HISTORY OF SACO 

daughters and one son, Joseph, settled in Wells; Sara.. 

was married to Rest (or Russ) ; Hannah and Mercy 

to Lieut. Joseph Storer, and David Littlefield. Mr. 
Storer was an active officer in the second war with the 
Indians. Joseph Hill, Esq. married Hannah Bowles of 
Wells, 1689. He was a gentleman of some note in the 
early part of the succeeding century, and lived to an ad- 
vanced age. Of the other sons, excepting Ebenezer, 
we have little information ; some of them probably died 
young. Ebenezer, well known to tradition as Deacon 
Hill, was a conspicuous inhabitant of the town for many 
years, as it will hereafter appear. Roger was still active 
in town affairs at the date of the latest records, 1686 ; 
we have not learned the time of his decease. 

Christopher Hobbs was admitted freeman 1653; had 
a son of the same name, and a daughter, Jane, married 
to Michael Nostras. In 1718 John Hobbs of Boston, 
'grandson of C. Hobbs, sometime of Saco,' claimed a 
house and land, which Maj. Phillips sold to his ancestor. 
C. Hobbs, senior, was living 1672. 

Nicholas Buly or Baly, freeman 1653, died 1664. 
His children were Nicholas, who married Ellen Booth 
1652 ; Anne, wife of Ambrose Berry ; Grace, wife of 
John Bouden ; Ellen, wife of John Henderson ; Eliza- 
beth, wife of Thomas Doughty; Abigail, wife of Peter 
Henderson ; and Tamozin, who died unmarried. Jonas 
Baly of Black-point, who came over in the service of 
Mr. Trelavvney, left a small legacy to his brother Nicholas, 
by a will dated 1663. 

Ralph Tristram, freeman 1655, may have settled here 
several years previous. He was long a useful and worthy 
townsman, and died 1678. His children, born 1644-64, 
were Samuel, Nathaniel, Benjamin, Ruhamah, Rachel, 
Ruth, Freegrace, Hannah and David. The names of 
several of the sons occasionally occur in the old records, 
but neither of them, so far as we have learned, has de- 
scendants now living. Hannah married Dominicus, a son 
of Rev. Robert Jordan, about 1680, who settled on the 
estate at Spurwink, then a part of Falmouth. Their 
children were Dominicus, Samuel, Elizabeth, Hannah and 
Mary Ann. Sometime in the second Indian war, the 



AND BIDDEFORD. 



181 



garrison house of Mr. Jordan was violently assaulted by 
a large number of the enemy, when he made a brave and 
successful resistance. The Indians called to him, saying 
that 'they were ten hundred in number' ; to which he re- 
plied that ^he cared not if they were ten thousand.^ A 
few years after several Indians came to Mr. Jordan's 
house, and were received with the familiarity common in 
time of peace, one of whom watching a favorable oppor- 
tunity, struck a hatchet into his head, exclaiming as 
he inflicted the fatal blow — 'There Dominicus ! now 
kill ten thousand Indian.^ The family were all made 
prisoners, and carried to Canada. They were afterwards 
restored, excepting Mary Ann, (named by her French 
protectors Arabella,) who married a French gentleman at 
Trois Rivieres, on the St. Lawrence, where she was living 
1761 ; she was probably of a very tender age when this 
calamity befel the family. The other daughters were 
subsequently married ; Hannah to Joseph Calef of Bos- 
ton, and Elizabeth to Capt. Humphry Scamman of this 
town. The sons became men of considerable note. Do- 
minicus lived on the old estate at Spurwink, and was the 
representative of Falmouth in the Gen. Court several 
years. He died 1749, sixty six years of age. Samuel, 
the other son of Dominicus Jordan and Hannah Tristram, 
settled in this town about 1717 ; and from him are de- 
scended the numerous families of Jordans now living in 
Saco and Biddeford. 

Philip Hinkson 1653; died a few years after. His 
widow married George Taylor of Black-point. 

Walter Pennell 1653 ; married a daughter of Robert 
Booth. Their children, born 1649-69, were Walter, the 
oldest, who was living in York 1719, at the age of seventy 
years ; Mary, the wife of Giles Hibbins ; Deborah, Sara, 
and Susanna. 

John Davis received a grant for a sawmill 1653 ; he was 
probably a smith, as his forge is mentioned. His house 
was near the Falls, and is referred to in a division of the 
island 1667. Davis's brook took its name from him. He 
was probably the 'disaccepted' deputy 1682. 

John Halicom 1653; the next year administration was 
granted on his estate. 
16* 



1 35 HISTORY OF SACO 

Roger Hunniiel died 1653-4. He lived on Parker's 
neck near the entrance to the Pool. Richard Hunivvell 
of Black-point 1G81, was perhaps his son. Administra- 
tion on his estate was granted 1654 ; and at the same 
time on the estates of Paul Mitchel and John Rowland, 
who appear to have been inhabitants of this town. 

Edward Andrews, freeman 1653, may have been a son 
of Samuel Andrews, one of the first colonists. Edward 
died 1668. Thomas Reding, freeman 1653, does not 
appear after that date. 

Roger Spencer of Charlestown, to whom the freemen 
granted a privilege for a sawmill 1653, seems not to have 
become a resident in town until five years after that date, 
when he joined with Maj. Pendleton in the purchase of 
the Neck. The conditions of his grant required him to 
erect a mill before the expiration of one year, with which 
he probably complied ; and there is every reason to sup^ 
pose that his mill was the first one built on Saco rivei*. 
In 1658, Capt. Spencer (as he is styled in the town- 
book) removed with his family to the Neck, where im^ 
provements had been previously made. The same year 
he mortgaged one half of his mill to Rob. Jordan, and the ' 
next year i to Thomas Spencer of Boston ; the latter 
eventually became the property of Maj. Phillips. 

In 1669, Capt. Spencer, then living in Boston, convey- 
ed the remaining J of his mill to Capt. Thomas Savage 
of Boston. The marriage of Lydia Spencer, unques- 
tionably a daughter of Roger, to Freegrace Norton , 
about 1660, is recorded in the townbook. Mr. Noi«- 
ton was on a jury of inquest the following year, and, it is J 
conjectured, afterwards resided in Ipswich, where a per- 
son of the same name dwelt a few years later. Another 
daughter of Capt. Spencer married, first, John Hull, a 
young merchant of Boston, and, after his decease, Wil 
liam Phips, the first governor of Mass. Bay under the 
charter of 1692. Sir William was born in humble cip^il 
cumstances, in the part of ancient Pemaquid now Alna 
1650 : when eighteen years of age he apprenticed him- ^ 
self to a shipcarpenter, and four years after went to Bos- 
ton, "where," says Dr. Mather, his biographer, "he fol- 
lowed his trade about a year, and by a laudable deport^ 



! 



AND BIDDEFORD. 183 

fnent so recommended himself, that he married a young 
gentlewoman of good repute, who was the widow of one 
Mr. John Hull, a well-bred merchant, but the daughter of 
one Capt. Roger Spencer, a person of good fashion, who 
having suffered much damage in his estate by some un- 
kind and unjust actions, which he bore with such pa- 
tience that, for fear of injuring the public, he would not 
seek satisfaction, posterity might afterward see the re- 
ward of his patience in what providence hath now done 
for one of his own posterity." A third daughter of Capt. 
Spencer married Dr. David Bennet of Rowley ; whose 
son, Spencer Bennet, was adopted by his uncle Sir Wil- 
liam, and took the name of Phips. He was Lieut. Gov- 
ernor of Massachusetts from 1732 until his decease in 
1757. 

James Harman makes an acknowledgement of having 
slandered John Snelling 1655. Harman married Sarah 
Clarke 1659. Their children were named Jane and 
Barberry. We find no other notice of Snelling. The 
marriages of William Kirkeet, sometimes written Cur- 
keet, and William Batting are recorded the same year. 
The former died 1662 ; his personal property was ap- 
praised at £134 135. He owned seventeen head of cat- 
tle, young and old, which were appraised at £60. The 
birth of John (1642,) son of Morgan Lacy, was recorded 
about this time. 

John Sparke's lot is mentioned 1656. A small part 
only of the records of grants seems to have been preser- 
ved ; Sparke and many others, whose names are not 
found until a much later date, without doubt received 
grants of lands 1653. He was buried Octo. 24, 1669. 

The house of Walter Mayer, Mare, or Mar, (as the 
name is variously written,) is spoken of in a town grant 
of 1656. The births of his children, from 1654 to '74, 
are carefully registered. Their names were Judith, 
Mary, Waller, Sara, Rebecca, Ruth, Elizabeth, Benja- 
min, and Love. Waherwas one of the selectmen 1683. 

John Bouden married Grace Buly 1656. Their chil- 
dren were Hannah, Lucy, John and Nicholas : the last 
born 1673. John Bouden was one of the selectmen 
1684. Ambrose Bowden, senior, lived at Black-point 



184 HISTORY OF SACO 

1658, and his son Ambrose 1681. John was perhaps, 
another son of Ambrose. 

Alexander Smith and William Luscom received grants, 
of land from the town 1653. Sydrack, a son of the lat-. 
ter, was drowned ] 660. , 

John Helson married Joane Waddock 1658. Ephra- 
im Helson was born 1667. John Helson or Elson- was 
living at Black-point 1681. The former year (1658) 
John Cole married Mary Chilson. John died 1661. 
Elyfal! (Eiiphel) Cole was buried at the same date, per- > 
haps a daii2;hter of John. The names of Mordecai Crau- 
itt, John Hallsome (perhaps Helson) and Jeremiah Hum- 
phries, already mentioned as on a jury of inquest this year, 
do not afterwards occur. 

John Sargent was a fisherman at Winter Harbor 1660. 
His children were Edward, born 1661 ; Benjamin 1673 ; 
Patience 1675. John and his son Edward were requir- 
ed to answer a complaint for selling liquor to the Indians 
1686 ; forfeiting their recognizances, they were compelled 
to pay 20/. each. Edward Sargent of Newbury sold a 
piece of land at Winter Harbor to E. Hill 1727. % 

Capt. John Alden of Boston, married Elizabeth, daugh-* 
ter of Maj. Phillips, and, if not an inhabitant of the town, 
was part owner of a sawmill, which he built, as already 
stated, and passed much time here during the residence 
of his father in law. It is not improbable that his family 
was also here. He was on a jury of inquest whose ver- 
dict is recorded in the town book, September, 1660. The 
Fluellen deed was attested by him and Harlakenden Sy- 
monds, (son of the deputy-governor,) 1661, to which a- 
note is appended stating the intended extent of the pur- 
chase, and referring to the deed of another Sagamore, 
'^written by me, John Aldeny Capt. Alden was the son 
of John Alden of Plymouth, who came over with the band . 
of pilgrims, when but twenty-two years of age, and, it is 
said, was the first person that leaped upon the shore. 
His mother was Priscilla, a daughter of Mr. William Mul-j 
lins, another pilgrim. The following pleasant story re- 
specting the parents of Capt. Alden, is related by a de- 
scendant in a late publication. 

"It is well known, that, of the first company consisting 



AND BIDDEFORD. 185 

of one hundred and one, about one half died in six nnonths 
after landing, in consequence of the hardships ihey were 
called to encounter. Mrs. Rose Standish, consort of cap- 
tain Standish, departed this life on the 29 of January, 
1621. This circumstance is mentioned as an introduc- 
tion to the following anecdote, which has been carefully 
handed down by tradition. In a very short time after the 
decease of Mrs. Standish, the captain was led to think, 
that if he could obtain Miss Priscilla Mullins, a daughter 
of Mr. William Mullins, the breach in his family would be 
happily repaired. He, therefore, according to the custom 
of those times, sent to ask Mr. Mullins' permission to visit 
his daughter. John Alden, the messenger, went and faith- 
fully communicated the wishes of the captain. The old 
gentleman did not object, as he might have done, on ac- 
count of the recency of captain Standish's bereavement. 
He said it was perfectly agreeable to him, but the young 
lady must also be consulted. The damsel was then cal- 
led into the room, and John Alden, who is said to have 
been a man of most excellent form with a fair and ruddy 
complexion, arose, and, in a very courteous and prepos- 
sessing manner, delivered his errand. Miss Mullins lis- 
tened with respectful attention, and at last, after a consid- 
erable pause, fixing her eyes upon him, with an open and 
pleasant countenance, said, prithee, John, why do you not 
speak for yourself !> He blushed, and bowed, and took 
his leave, but with a look which indicated more than his 
diffidence would permit him otherwise to express. How- 
ever, he soon renewed his visit, and it was not long before 
their nuptials were celebrated in ample form. From them 
are descended all of the name, Alden, in the United States. 
What report he made to his constituent, after the first in- 
terview, tradition does not unfold ; but it is said, how 
true the writer knows not, that the captain never forgave 
him to the day of his death."* 

Capt. Alden had the misfortune to suffer the imputa- 
tion of witchcraft from one of the victims of that delusion 



*Rev. T. Alden, (president of Alleghany Coll.) Collect. Am. Epi- 
taphs, iii. 265. The marriage of the worthy pilgrim's oldest son with 
a daughter of Maj. Phillips, seems to have escaped the inquiries of 
Dr. Alden and other Plymouth antiquaries. 



186 HISTORY OF SACO f 

in iSoston, 1692, when persons of the most irreproacha- 
ble character were not safe from the consequences of an 
accusation, which, it is well known, in many instances 
proved fatal.* His case is thus described by Hutchinson : 

"Capt. John Alden, of Boston, was accused, who was. 
tliereupon sent down to Salem. He had been many years ; 
commander of a sloop in the colony service, employed for 
supplying the forts east with provisions and stores ; and 
although, upon his first appearing, the justices allowed 
that he always had the character of an honest man, yeti 
one of them. Gidney, soon after, let him know he them 
saw reason to think otherwise of him. Alden, in his ac-- 
count, says, that the accuser first pointed to another man i 
and said nothing, but that the man who held her stooped I 
down to her ear, and then she cried out, Alden, Alden.. 
All were ordered into the streets, and a ring made, and' 
then she cried out. There stands Alden, a bold fellow, 
with his hat on, sells powder and shot to the Indians, 8fC* 
He was immediately taken into custody of the marshal I 
and required to deliver up his sword. A further exami- 
nation was had in the meeting-house, and his hands were 
held open by the officer, that he might not pinch the af- 
iiicted, who were struck down at the sight of him, and 
made their usual cries ; all of which the justices deemed 
sufficient grounds for committing him to gaol, where he 
Jay fifteen weeks, and then he was prevailed on by his 
friends to make his escape, and to absent himself until 
the consternation should abate, and the people recoven 
the use of their reason." 

Capt. Alden died at Boston 1702 ; his children were— 
John, William, Nathaniel, Zechariah, Anna, and Eliza- 
beth. Zechariah graduated at Harvard Coll. 1692. 

Richard Randall, son of Richard, was born 1659 ; and 
Sara, daughter of Richard, 1661. Arthur Wormstall, 
freeman at Wells 1653, was living in Saco 1660. His 



*The name of Rev. George Burroughs who was executed at Salera 
Aug. 19, 1692, will occur to the minds of our readers. "He met his^ 
untimely end," says Rev. Mr. Felt, "with christian fortitude. Though 
his accusers charged him with de^ds of murder, as was common for 
them to do in reference to others, yet h© appears to have been a \vor- 
thj man." Annals of Salem. 307. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 187 

children were Susan, born 1658 ; Arthur 1661 ; John 
1669. Arthur was one of the selectmen 1680. Mr. 
John Gray and Robert Field (probably a son in law of 
Maj. Phillips,) were on a jury of inquest 1660. John 
Wakefield attested the deed of Walter Hegone to Phil- 
lips 1660. He died 1673 ; leaving four sons, John, 
James, Henry, and William, and three daughters, one the 
wife of William Fiost. The latter, to whom Maj. Phil- 
lips sold a piece of land near the falls, had two sons at 
the time of Wakefield's death, William and Nathaniel. 
Christopher Collins of Saco, purchased N. Edgecomb's 
house and land at Blue-point 1660. The name Collins 
occurs in the town book 1672. 

The next year (1661) we ^find on a jury of inquest 
Mr. William Tharall ; Gregory Jefl^ery, who was admit- 
ted freeman at Cape Porpoise 1653 ; Richard More, 
freeman at Wells 1653 ; John Rice, whose house was 

hired for Rev. S. Fletcher by the town ; Burnitt, 

and Ward. Edw^ard Clark, freeman at Wells 

1653, was buried this year. Walsingham Chilson recei- 
ved a grant of town land. William Chilson was married 
to Grace Briar, (perhaps Briant,) several years later. 
Mercy Chelson was buried Aug. 1674. 
I David Hambleton married Anna Jackson 1662. Ar- 
1 thur Hewes married Dunie Stevens 1663. Thomas San- 
; ders married Hope Reynolds 1664 ; probably a daughter 
■of William Reynolds, at Cape Porpoise 1653. Arthur 
Batting married Abigail Spurwell 1664; Christopher 
Spurwell was made freeman at Cape Porpoise 1653. 
John Henderson was born 1664. Peter Henderson re- 
ceived a grant of land 1671, next to John, sen. running 
from *the spring southwest into the woods.' John Dun- 
mark, son of Patrick, and Carter, son of John, 

were born 1667. Michael and .John, sons of Michael 
Naziter, were born 1664-6. Richard Peard married 
Jane Naziter 1669. Peter, son of John Anderson, was 
born 1 667. Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Doughty, 
was born 1670. Margery and Margaret, daughters of 
Humphry Case, were born 1671-3. William Warren re- 
ceived a grant of land 1671, next to Peter Henderson. 
Thomas Powell was a referee in a controversy between 



188 HISTORY OF SACO 

Sargent and Hltehcock 1670. Giles HIbbins raarrled 
Mary Pennel 1870. He received liberty from the town 
to plant a piece of land "at the neck of land commonly 
called the Middle rock," until further order, 1673 ; and 
the next year was granted "all the neck of land joining 
unto the Little river and unto the marsh," the same lot : 
doubtless. William Seely died 1672. His children were ; 
Emm, married to John Ruel 1668 ; and Dorcas, married 
to James Gibbins, jr. the same year. Giles Read mar-- 
ried Judith Mayer about 1674. 

At a town commissioners' court h olden before Maj. | 
Phillips, associate, and Waddock, Gibbins and Hooke, 
commissioners, about 1664, John Williams and John 
Palmer were defendants in two actions of debt, Francis';' 
Hooke, plaintiff. A former remark respecting the name 
Williams should therefore be corrected ; as the de- 
fendants were doubtless inhabitants of the town. William 
Sheldon appears about the same time ; Thomas Fox ai 
few years later. Sheldon and Palmer were inhabitants; 
of Scarboro' 1681-3. 

Few of the early inhabitants have a more numerous 
posterity than Humphry Scamman, whose admission 12 
June, 1680, has already been noticed. He was borni 
1640, perhaps in Portsmouth, N. H. where Mr. Richard 
Scamman settled about that time. Humphry afterwards 
lived at Kittery point ; but the records of that town doi 
not contain his name until 1677, when the birth of his, 
son Humphry was registered. His wife's name was Eliz-- 
abeth ; their children were Humphry, born May 10, 1677;; 
Elizabeth, who was married to Andrew Haley of Kitte-^ 
ry, 1697 ; Mary and Rebecca, whose husbands' namesj 
were Puddiiigton and Billings ;* and Samuel, born 1689,. 
Mr. Scamman removed to Cape Porpoise (Kennebunk-- 
port) before he came to Saco, where he received a town^ 
grant 1679 ;f the same year in which he purchased the,:i 
estate of H. Waddock in Saco. He died in this town ll 
January, 1727. 



*Both Portsmouth names as ea'-ly as 1G40. Belknap. Hist. N. H. 
i-. 47. 1 A few leaves of the C. Porpoise records (about 1C80) remain. 






AND BIDDEFORD. 189 



CHAPTER XV. 

The peace made with the Indians in 1678 continued, 
with some slight interruptions, for a period of ten years. 
During this short interval the inhabitants were often a- 
larmed by indications of a renewal of hostilities and the 
horrors of savage warfare. The utmost precaution was 
used to guard against surprise, and little real quiet seems 
to have been enjoyed. The tribes inhabiting Maine, to 
whom the French gave the general name Abenaquis, and 
the English, Tarrentines, were regarded by the former 
people as "the most mild and docile of the Indians" ;* 
and this opinion of their natural character is confirmed 
by the peaceful intercourse which they so long maintained 
with the first settlers. But the late war, and the instiga- 
tions of the Canadian French, developed their worst pas- 
sions, and converted them from friends into the most cruel 
enemies of the English inhabitants. The peace did not 
restore to them their former amicable feelings ; having be- 
come familiarized to scenes of violence and lawless de- 
predation, the once peaceful and harmless native was 
transformed into a blood-thirsty savage, prepared for the 
most atrocious deeds. Another cause, also, operated to 
degrade and corrupt the character of the Indians, which 
has had its effect in succeeding times, and in every part 
of the country; we refer to the practice of supplying 
them with spiritous liquors. To this should be added 
the gross impositions of unprincipled traders, wl;iich ex- 
cited their hatred and jealousy towards the English gener- 
ally. The laws on this subject were not sufficiently en- 
forced until too late to correct the error. One of the 
first orders passed by the Court under President Dan- 
forth, 1680, was intended to arrest the evil ; which pro- 
hibited the sale of spiritous liquors to the Indians under 
a penalty of 20s. for every pint sold to them, and likewise 
all trade with them in beaver or other peltry without spe- 
jCial license from the government. 

*Hutchinson. i. 404. 
J7 



190 HISTORY OF SACO 

In the summer of 1681 some depredations committed 
at Wells, caused orders to be issued to the military to hold 
themselves in readiness. The inhabitants were at that 
time directed *'to carry arms and ammunition to public 
meetings ;" a precaution which long continued to be prac- 
tised. Another alarm spread through the Province a- 
bout two years later, when the following order of the 
Council, assembled by the deputy-president at Wells, 
was passed : "Whereas by intelligence from several places 
there appeareth vehement suspicion of the rising of the 
Indians in hostility against the English of this country, 
which calls for a readiness most speedily to prepare a- 
gainst the assault of so barbarous an enemy, whereof thof 
Council being sensible do account themselves obliged ta 
take effectual care, do order as follow^s : that the militia 
of every town in this province shall with all convenient 
speed, at the public charge of the towns wherein they 
live, provide garrison or garrisons in each town that may 
be convenient for the entertainment and defence of the 
whole inhabitants thereof, and to use their best endeavor 
therein, and order that every particular person in each 
town be furnished with arms and ammunition, according 
to the number of persons capable to use them." 

Garrisons, it is well known, were a common means ol 
defence provided by the inhabitants throughout N. Eng- 
land down to the latest period of Indian hostilities. The} 
were nothing more than wooden fabrics built of massive 
timber, commonly having flankers, or wings, of the samt 
material, and furnished with loop holes. A solid wal 
of palisadoes, of great thickness and strength, was ir 
some cases made to enclose the garrison, leaving a con 
siderable space around the premises, within which thd 
people were safe from a sudden assault. The remain; 
of buildings of this description may yet be seen in somr 
places, and have existed until within a few years in ou 
own towns. 

The following letter from Maj. Hooke, (who had re 

moved from Saco,) to a gentleman of New Hampshire 

describes an alarm that occurred not long after the dat 

of the above order : 

"Capt. Barefoot — Sm, This is to inform you that jusi 



AND BIDDEFORD. 191 

DOW there came to me a post, wherein I am fully informed 
that there is just ground to feare that the heathen have a 
souden designe against us : they having lately about Sa- 
coe affronted our English inhabitants there by threatening 
of them, as also killinge theyre doggs : but more par- 
ticularly in that on Friday, and Lord's day last they have 
gathered all theyre corne, and are removed both pack 
and packidge. A word to the wise is enough. The old 
proverb is, forewarned forearmed. Myself and rest in com- 
mission with us are fourthwith setting ourselves in a pos- 
ture, and tomorrow our counsell meet for to consider 
what is needful to be done. Not else, beinge in greate 
haste, butt remayn, Sir, your obliged servant, 

Francis Hooke. 

KIttery, 13 Aug. 1685." 

In the spring of 1688, the tradinghouse of the Baron 
of St. Castine, a French inhabitant on the eastern side 
of the Penobscot, was plundered by Gov. Andros, on 
'the pretence of its being seated within the limits of the 
English jurisdiction, which the Baron refused to acknow- 
ledge. Castine had resided many years in the country, 
[having come out as an officer in the French regiment to 
I Canada 1664 : these troops were disbanded three years 
'after, and chiefly settled in Canada, where they received 
[grants of lands from government. The Baron penetra- 
[ted the wilderness, and finally pitched upon a spot near 
the mouth of the Penobscot, which at an earlier period 
jhad been occupied by a French establishment. He here 
lived in the midst of the Penobscot Indians, and even 
took for his wives the daughters of the chief Madocawan- 
do, the most powerful of the eastern sachems. The out- 
?rage of Andros, committed during the absence of the 
'Baron, was probably the immediate cause of the war 
^ which soon after followed ; as the affi'onted Frenchman 
i' stirred up the hatred and animosity of the savages in thayt 
! region against the English, and supplied them with arms 
fand ammunition for carrying on hostilities. The Indians 
jin the western part of the Province, pretended to have 
•sufficient grounds for renewing the war. They complai- 
;ned that the tribute of corn stipulated to be paid them, 
'had been refused : that they were disturbed in their fish- 



192 HISTORY OF SACO 

ing on Saco river by the use of nets and seines, vvhicli 
obstructed the passage of the fish : that their lands were 
granted away by patents : and that they were cheated 
and abused by the traders. Threats were thrown out 
during the summer, which justly alarmed the inhabitants.^ 
At length, a report having reached this place that some^ 
mischief had been done at North Yarmouth, Mr. Black- 
man, who was a justice of the peace, ordered Capt. John 
Sargent to seize sixteen or twenty Indians who had been 
most active in the former war, in order to have an exami- 
nation, and to bring in the rest to a renewal of the treaty.* 
They were carried under a strong guard to Falmouth, 
Notice of this transaction having been sent to Boston, 
judge Stoughton and others came down to obtain a con- 
ference with the Indians by means of the prisoners, but 
their endeavors proved ineffectual, and they returned, ta- 
king the prisoners with them. 

Blood was first shed at Dartmouth, now Newcastle,* 
near Pemaquid, early in September.f A few days after 
Capt. Gendal and his servant were killed at North Yar- 
mouth. Towards winter two families of the names Bar- 
row and Bussy, living in Kennebunk, near Winterharbor,, 
were cut off. Gov. Andros, who was at N. York when 
the Indian prisoners were carried to Boston, on his return 
set them at liberty, from an idea that too much severity 
had been practised by his predecessors in their treatment 
of the savages ; at the same time he issued a proclama- 
tion, requiring the authors of the late outrages to be given 
np. No notice was taken of this demand, when Andros 
raised a large body of soldiers, (as we have before stated,) 
and marched at their head in the depth of winter from 
Boston to Pemaquid, but without destroying a single ene- 
my, although some of his own men perished with the cold. 
In April, 1689, "the savages began to renew hostilities at 
Saco falls, on a Lord's day morning," says Mather ; but 
no lives appear to have been lost. Two or three months i 
after, four young men of this town going to seek their, 
horses for the purpose of joining a party under Captain:^ 

^Cotton Mather, (the historian of the second Indian war,) Magna««^j 
lia. ii. 506. tHutchinson. i. Zi^G, 



AND BIDDEFORD. l93 

WIncol, were waylaid and killed. A company of twenty 
four men was immediately raised to search for the bodies 
of the slain, who falling in with the savages, pursued them 
into 'a vast swamp,' probably the Heath, but were obliged 
to retire with the loss of six of their number. 

A revolution in the government took place this season, 
which resulted in the forcible removal of Andros. From 
a statement afterwards published by the latter, we learn 
that ten companies, composed of sixty men each, were 
stationed in Maine ; one of which, commanded by Capt. 
John Lloyd, was placed here, and afterwards increased 
by an additional detachment of twenty eight-men. A 
less number, under Lieut. Puddington, was stationed at 
Kennebunk, "to be relieved from Saco."* 

The next year, 1690, was signalized by the destruction 
of the settlement at Salmon Falls,f (Berwick,) and the 
capture of the fort at Falmouth, by two parties of French 
and Indians. "Tbe garrisons at Papoodack, (C. Eliza- 
beth,) Spurwink, Black-point and Blue-point," says Dr. 
Mather, "were so disanimated by these disasters, that 
without orders they drew off immediately to Saco, twenty 
miles within Casco, and from Saco in a few days also they 
drew off to Wells, twenty miles within the said Saco ; and 
about half Wells drew off as far as Lieut. Storer's." 

Scouting parties were employed during the summer be- 
tween Portsmouth and Falmouth, by means of which the 
Indians were restrained from further depredations of any 
magnitude. In September, Col. Church was sent into 
tke province with considerable forces, partially composed 
of friendly natives of the old colony. They landed at 
Pegypscot, where a fort, built by Andros, had been in pos- 
session of the Indians who hastily fled on the approach 
of Col. Church, leaving behind several women and 
children ; these falling into his hands were all put to 
death('knocked on the head,') except the wives of two 
chiefs whose influence was wanted to obtain a restoration 
of prisoners. From that place, Col. Church sailed to 

*3 Mass. Hist. Coll. i, 86. It is also stated that these troops all de-r 
serted after the return of Andros from the eastward : but Captain 
Lloyd subsequently performed many valuable services in the Pro- 
vince. See Mather. iCharlevoix, liv. vii. writes the name Sementets. 
17^ 



194 HISTORY OP SACa 

Winter Harbor ; the next morning after they arrived, 
*they discovered some smokes rising towards Scamman's 
garrison : he immediately sent away a scout of 60 men, 
and followed presently with the whole body.'* This gar- 
rison was about three miles below the falls, on the eastern 
side of the river ; when the detachment approached it, 
they discovered the Indians on the opposite side. Three 
of them, however, had crossed the river, and seeing our 
men, ran with great speed to their canoe ; in attempting 
to re-cross, one who stood up to paddle, w^as killed by a 
shot from the party, and falling upon the canoe caused it 
to 'break to pieces,' (says Church,) 'so that all three per- 
ished.' The firing alarmed the other savages who aban- 
doned their canoes and ran from the river. 'Old Doney,' 
a noted Indian, was at the Falls, together with a prisoner, 
Thomas Bakerjf and hearing the guns, came down the 
river in his canoe ; but on perceiving our men, ran his 
canoe ashore, and leaping over the head of Baker, esca- 
ped to the other Indians. Col. Church afterwards went 
again to Casco bay, and from thence back as far as Wells, 
where the chiefs whose wives had been spared, came 
in, and 'said three several times that they would never 
fight against the English any more, for the French made 
fools of them, &ic.' But early the following year (1691), 
fresh outrages were committed. 

Sir William Phips, having been appointed governor 
of Massachusetts, resolved to carry on the war with re- 
newed spirit. Maj. Converse was made commander of the 
forces in the province, who commenced building a stone 
fort near Saco falls in the summer of 1693. 'Repairing 
to Saco,' says Mather, 'they began another fort, which 
was carried on by that worthy gentleman. Major Hooke, 
and the truly commendable Capt. Hill, and proved a mat- 
ter of good consequence to the province.' The fort stood 
on the western side of the river, a short distance below 
the falls ; the remains of it are still visible on the high 
bank nearly opposite the Manufacturing establishment. 
It is said to have been built with so much strength that 
the Indians never attempted to take it ; of course it af- ^ 

^Chutchs Wars.ltr. tAn inhabitant of Scarboro' 1681, Scar. Ret. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 195 

forded great security to the inhabitants. A number of 
soldiers were stationed here under the command of Capt; 
George Turfrey and Lieut. Pendleton Fletcher. So 
much energy was shown in the preparations for war in 
the early part of this year, that the Indians became alarm- 
ed, sued for peace, and, in August, a treaty was made at 
Pemaquid, 'signed by the principal Sagamores of all the 
Indians belonging to the several rivers of Penobscot and 
Kennebeck, Amarascoggin and Saco.' The following 
summer, however, hostilities were renewed near the Pas- 
cataqua, at Spruce creek, and in York. The leaders 
were fortunately seized ; Robin Doney and three others 
at Saco fort, and Bomaseen at Pemaquid, in August 1694. 
The latter was sent to a gaol in Boston. The next 
March, two soldiers belonging to the fort at this place, fell 
into the hands of the enemy, one of whom was killed, 
and the other carried into captivity. The savages appear 
to have lurked about the fort, watching an opportunity 
for mischief. Sergeant Haley was cut off in this man- 
ner, venturing carelessly out of the fort, in the latter part 
of the summer. The next year five soldiers in a similar 
way lost their lives. They had discovered the enemy in 
season to make their escape, but not agreeing about the 
course to be taken, (being at a considerable distance from 
the fort,) they unfortunately fell into an ambush and were 
all slain. 

Maj. Charles Frost, of Sturgeon creek (Kittery,) was 
killed on Sunday, July 4, 1697, returning from public 
worship at Berwick ; *to repair unto which,' says Dr. 
Mather, 'about five miles from his own house, he had that 
morning expressed such an earnestness, that much notice 
was taken of it.' Two others were killed at the same 
time, but two sons of Maj. Frost, who were in the com- 
pany, happily escaped. The Indians had secreted them- 
selves behind a collection of boughs lying near the road ; 
the place was open and level, and apparently much less 
likely to conceal an enemy than other parts of the road 
which they passed. Maj. Frost filled various offices of 
great respectability. In 1693, he was a member of the 
Council of Mass. Buy, elected by the people under the 
provisions of the new charter. He had been an active 



196 HISTORY OF SACO 

officer in Philip's war, and was much feared by the sava- 
ges. His father, Nicholas Frost, already mentioned as 
one of the first settlers in Kirtery, died in 1G63, at the 
age of 71 years, leaving two other sons, John and Nicho- 
las. The capture of Lieut. Fletcher, and his two sons, 
took place the same year ; of which Dr. Mather gives the 
foiiovv'iug account. "Three soldiers of Saco Fort cutting 
some firewood on Cow island for the use of the fort, were 
by the Indians cut off; while that Lieut. Fietcher with his 
two sons, that should have guarded them, went a fowling ; 
and by doing so tliey likewise fell into the snare. The 
Indians carrying these three captives down the river in one 
of their canoes, Lieut. Larrabee, who was abroad with 
a scout, waylaid them, and firing; on the foremost of the 
canoes that had three men (Indians) in it, they all three 
fell and sank in the river of death ; several were killed a- 
board the other canoes ; and the rest ran their canoes a- 
shore and escaped on the other side of the river; and one 
of the Fletchers, when all the Indians with him were kill- 
ed, was delivered out of the hands which had made a pris- 
oner of him , though liis poor father afterwards died a- 
mong them." 

About the same time Humphry Scamman and his family- 
were taken and carried to Canada. The story of their 
capture is thus related by an aged lady, a grand daughter 
of Samuel, the youngest son of Mr. Scamman. When 
Samuel was about ten years old, as his grand daughter 
has often heard him relate, he was sent one day by his 
mother with a mug of beer to his father and brother, who 
were at work on a piece of marsh in the neighborhood of 
the lower ferry. He had not gone far from the house 
when he discovered a number of Indians at a distance, 
and immediately ran back to inform his mother. He re- 
gained the house, and wished to fasten the doors and win- 
dows, but his mother prevented, saying that the Indians 
would certainly kill them if he did. They soon came 
into the house and asked the good woman where her san- 
ap (husband) ivas ? She refused to inform them, when 
they threatened to carry her off alone ; but promised if 
she would discover where he was, to take them together 
without harm. She then told them. After destroying 



AND BIDDEFORD. 197 

much of the furniture in the house, breaking many articles 
on a flat stone by the door, and emptying the feather beds 
to secure the sacks, they went away with the prisoners 
towards the marsh, where they succeeded in capturing 
Mr. Scamman and his other son. A boy named Robin- 
son, who had been for the team, as he was returning, per- 
ceived the savages in season to make his escape ; mount- 
ing a horse, with only his garters for a bridle, he rode up 
to what is now called Gray's point, swam the horse to 
Cow island, and leaving him there, swam to the opposite 
shore, and reached the fort in safety. He found only a 
few old men and women in possession of the place. The 
guns were immediately fired to alarm the soldiers belong- 
ing to the fort, who were at work some distance off. The 
women in the meantime put on men's clothes, and showed 
themselves about the fort, so that they could be seen by 
the Indians who had come up to the opposite island. De- 
ceived by this stratagem, (supposing the fort to be well 
manned, as they afterwards acknowledg^ed,) they did not 
venture an attack, but drew off with a number of prison- 
ers beside Scamman and his family. As the peace took 
place soon after, the prisoners were all restored, having 
been probably about one year in captivity. Mr. Scam- 
man on his return, found his house in precisely the same 
condition in which it had been left ; even the mug of beer, 
which Samuel placed on the dresser, was found remaining 
there. This mug is still in existence, preserved by our 
venerable informant as a memorial of the dangers and suf- 
ferings to which her ancestors were exposed. It is a 
handsome article of brown ware, with the figure and 
name of King William stamped upon it. Its age is about 
140 years. 

In 1698, the war between England and France being 
at an end, the Indians made new overtures for peace, 
and commissioners were sent to treat with them, who con- 
cluded a treaty at a place called Mar's Point, Casco bay, 
Jan. 7, 1699. Thus ended a bloody war, which had 
continued with little intermission for ten years. 
r^ . The settlements enjoyed however, but a short respite 
from the unspeakable miseries of savage warfare. The 
succession of Queen Anne to the English throne 1702, 



198 HISTORY OF SACO 

was followed by a renewal of hostilities with France. 
The next year Gov. Dudley appointed a conference with 
the Eastern Indians at Falmouth, in consequence of some 
indications of an alarming character. Delegates appeared 
from the different tribes, who declared to the Governor 
that "as high as the sun was above the earth, so far dis- 
tant was a design of making war from them." The sus- 
picions that had been excited, were soon confirmed, how- 
ever, and in August, six weeks after the conference, a 
body of 500 French and Indians fell upon the settlements 
between Casco and Wells, burning and destroying all be- 
fore them. One hundred and thirty people were killed 
and taken prisoners in the course of this devastation.* 
A garrison at Winter Harbor, and the stone fort at the 
Falls, were attacked by this party ; the former after a 
stout resistance, finally capitulated on favorable terms. In 
the assault on the fort, eleven were killed and twenty-four 
taken prisoners, who were carried into captivity. At 
Spurwink twenty-two persons of the name of Jordan 
were either killed or captured. The garrison at Scarbo- 
ro' held out against an attack. At Cape Elizabeth (Pur- 
pooduck) twenty-five were killed and eight taken. The 
expedition was led by a French ojfficer named Beaiibas- 
sin, who reported on his return to Canada, that he had 
slain three hundred English, but taken little plunder. 
This statement is discredited by the able authors of the 
Universal History, on the ground that the English ac- 
counts are silent respecting it, and that a considerable 
spoil must necessarily have been obtained. f But the 
French account is too nearly supported by Penhallow, an 
American writer. The inhabitants, having been lulled 
into security by the result of the conference at Casco, 
were taken by surprise and became the easy victims of the 
perfidious cruelty of the savages. Towards the close 
of the year, five of our inhabitants who were getting home 
wood, were surprised by the enemy and three of them 
slain. The next month (Jan. 1704,) a body of Indians 
attacked a garrison in Saco, probably at the Falls, com- 
manded by Capt. Brown, but were repulsed. J Capt. 



Tenhallow's 'Wars of New England.' fMod. Univ. Hist.xl. 146. 
tSewall. MS. Diarv. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 199 

Hil! (Joseph, probably) who had fallen into the hands of 
the enemy, was sent from Canada 1705, to obtain an ex- 
change of prisoners ; he reported that there were with the 
French 114 captives, besides 70 with the Indians. Saco 
Fort was at that time undergoing repairs ; for we find 
Capt. Turfrey allowed by the Gen. Court of 1704, 
£164 for this purpose.* 

About this time, Ebenezer Hill (afterwards Deacon) 
and his wife Abigail, then recently married, were carried 
into captivity. Several Indians, who professed to be 
friendly and were frequently in the houses of the inhabi- 
tants, called at Mr. Hill's in the usual manner one mor- 
ning, and partook of some food w^hich was offered them. 
They left the house, but soon after returned and finding 
Mr. Hill gone, told his wife that they must make her a 
prisoner. They proceeded to plunder such articles from 
. the house as they could conveniently carry away, and de- 
stroying others. When Mr. Hill came, he found his wife 
secured, having her arms pinioned, and the savages em- 
ployed in emptying a feather bed. He gave himself into 
their hands, and the Indians decamped with the prison- 
ers. They were carried to Canada, where they remain- 
ed three years. Their oldest son, Ebenezer, was born 
either in Canada or while they were on their return. He 
was familiarly called the Frenchman in after years. Mr. 
Hill's house was on the western side of the river, near 
the head of 'ferry lane.* 

In 1707, an engagement took place at Winter Harbor 
between a fleet of fifty canoes, manned by 150 Indians, 
and two small vessels in which were Capt. Austin, Mr. 
Harmon, Sergeant Cole, five other men and a boy. See- 
ing the canoes approach in a hostile manner, the men 
fired upon them as soon as they came near, and produced 
jsome confusion. The Indians soon recovered, however, 
and a brisk action ensued. They succeeded in capturing 
one of the boats, but the men escaped into the other with 
the loss of only one man, Benj. Daniels, who was shot 
through the bowels. As he fell, he exclaimed, "I am a 
dead man !" but recovering himself a little, he added, 

*Masa, Kecords. 



200 HISTORY OF SACO 

"Let me kill one before I die!" his strengih, howeverj' 
failed him. The action lasted three hours. The In- 
dians approached near enough to seize the blades of the.; 
oars. 

The Gen. Court passed an order 1708, directing the: 
removal of the forces from the stone fort at the falls to 
Winter Harbor, where a new fort was built on the extremi- 
ty of the point at the entrance of the Pool. Three hun-- 
dred pounds were appropriated for this object, and Maj. 
Joseph Hammond and Capt. Lewis Bane appointed to 
carry the order into effect. In 1710, one hundred pounds 
were granted by the court towards the completion of the 
fortification, which was called Fort Mary ; a supply of * 
snow-shoes and mogasins was voted at the same time. 
The remains of Fort Mary are now distinctly visible on 
the point, which is still called Fort hill. In August of 
that year, about fifty French and Indians made an assault 
on Winter Harbor, killed a woman, and took two men, 
one of whom, Pendleton Fletcher, was captured for the 
fourth time. The garrison redeemed him. The next' 
week a large party came, killed three, and carried away 
six. They barbarously stripped off the skin from one of 
the slain, and made girdles of it. Col. Walton with 170 
men, soon after visited the place, and marched up the 
river, but succeeded in destroying only two of the enemy 
and taking five prisoners. Corporal Ayers of Fort Mary 
fell into the hands of the savages about this time, but was 
liberated immediately ; the Indians, being weary of the 
war, which had reduced the number of their fighting men 
from 450 to 300, sent in a flag of truce to the fort, and 
desired a treaty. But some of them committed depreda- 
tions afterwards in Wells, York, and Dover ; and peace, 
did not take place until 1713, after the cessation of hostili-t 
ties and the treaty of Utrecht in Europe. They sent, 
in proposals to Capt. Moody of Falmouth, signifying 
their desire of treaty; and on 11 July, 1713, Governor 
Dudley and the Council met them at Portsmouth, where," 
by a formal writing under hand and seal, they renewed 
their allegiance and "begged the Queen's pardon for their ^ 
former miscarriages." 



AND BIDDEFORD. 201 

A Chronological view of the principal events of a general 
character noticed in the foregoing pages. 

1602 Discovery of New England. 

1603 Discovery of Saco river, called Shawakotock. 

1604-5 Visit of the French navigators, De Monts and Champlain. 

1606 Plymouth Company formed. 

1607 Sagadehock Colony sent out. 

1608 Return of the Colonists to England. 

1614 Visit of Capt. John Smith to Saco river, called Sawocotuck, 

1616 Richard Vines passes the winter at Winter Harbor. 

1620 Council of Plymouth established. 

1622 Grant of Laconia to Gorges and Mason. 

1628 First permanent settlement in Maine, at Pemaquid. 

1630 Patents on Saco river granted. Settlement made on the wes- 
tern side of the river, now Biddeford. 

1631 Settlement on the eastern side of the river, now Saco. The in- 
habitants on both patents composing one town called Saco; 
governed by a Combination. Plough Patent granted. 

1635 Separate grant from the Council of Plymouth to Gorges, from 
Pascataqua to Kennebec ; made a Province by Gorges under 
the name of New Somersetshire, and William Gorges sent out 
as governor. 

1636 Government of New Somersetshire organized at Saco. First 
Court holden on the eastern side of the river. 

1639 Grant of the Council to Gorges confirmed by the King ; the 
name of the Province changed to Mj4ine. 

1640 Government of Maine organized; General Court holden at 
Saco. Thomas Gorges Governor. 

1643 Gov. Gorges returns to England. Richard Vines, Steward 
General, the acting governor. Plough Patent purchased by 
Alex Rigby ; the towns embraced in it formed into a separate 
jurisdiction, styled the Province of Lygonia. Geo. Cleaves ap- 
pointed Deputy President. 

1645 R. Vines elected Governor of Maine by the General Court. 
Succeeded by Henry Jocelyn. Vines conveys his Patent to 
Dr. Robert Child. 

1646 Controversy of Gorges and Rigby decided in favor of the latter. 

1647 Death of Sir F. Gorges ; succeeded as Lord Proprietor by Sir 
John Gorges. 

1649 Combination of the towns Pascataqua, Gorgeana and Wells, 
Edward Godfrey chosen governor. 

1650 Death of Alexander Rigby ; succeeded by Edward Rigby. 

1652 The Colony of Mass. Bay claims the greater part of the Pro- 
vince of Maine as within her patent and jurisdiction. Claim 
resisted by Gov. Godfrey and his Council. Pascataqua and 
Gorgeana submit; named Kittery and York. The Province 
converted into the County of Yorkshire. 

1653 Wells, Cape Porpoise and Saco submit to Mass. Bay. 

1655 Levy made on Vines's patent, as the property of Messrs. Beex 

& Co. of London. 
1658 Blue-point, Black-point and Casco submit to Mass. Bay. The 

two fonner^lantations incorporated under the name of Scar- 

boro' ; Casco called Falmouth. 

18 



202 

11 

1659 Beex & Co. sell Vines's Patent to William Phillips of Boston', 
who removes to Saco. 

1665 The King's Commissioners come into the Province, and estab- 
lish a new jurisdiction ; Henry Jocelyn left at the head of the 
government. Sir Ferdinando, son and successor to Sir John 
Gorges, revives his claim to the Province. 

1668 Mass. Bay forcibly resumes a jurisdiction in the Province. Con-ii 
flict at York. 

1675 Philip's war commences. 

1676 Controversy between Gorges and Mass Bay decided in Eng-; 
land in favor of the former. 

1677 Gorges sells the Province to Mass. Bay for the sura of £1200( 
sterling. 

1678 Peace with the Indians. Treaty made at Falmouth. 

1680 Thomas Danforth President of Maine. Brian Pendleton de- 
puty-president. 

1686 Joseph Dudley President of New England. Superseded by Sir: 
Edmund Andros. 

1688 Second war with the Indiana. 

1690 Berwick (Salmon Falls) and Casco destroyed by the French 
and Indians. 

1691 New Charter granted to Mass. Bay by William and Mary. 

1692 Sir William Phips Governor of Mass. Bay. 

1693 Stone Fort built at Saco Falls. 
1698 Peace with the Indians. Treaty of Mar's Point. 
1703 Third Indian war. Joseph Dudley Governor of Mass. 

scent of the French from Canada on the towns in Maine. 
1710 Fort Mary built at Winter Harbor, Saco. 
1713 Peace concluded with the Indians. _ 

I 



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i I J-! H I !k ^'laiai-.vHwjv. 







-^^"- T, K'vJ'JvTIS'A.' 71', (5^V^-) T ffasr?'; 



X)rei.vv-n fur t;h.e Hist, of 8aco iX] ii id-d.efi->T:^oL. 



[ 



HISTORY 

OF 

S^CO AJ\D BIDDEFORD. 
PART SECOND. 



CHAPTER I. 

p„ After the pacification of 1713, the dispersed inhabi- 
tants began to return to their deserted homes from the 
imore secure settlements to which they had fled for safety ; 
[the garrisons and forts in which those who remained, had 
been confined, were now abandoned, and the town in- 
cstead of presenting to the eye the dreary aspect of tenant- 
Jess dwelhngs and uncuhivated fields, became once more 
the abode of a busy and industrious, though not a numer- 
ous population. A new period in its history thus com- 
mences. For nearly thirty years no records of meetings 
for the transaction of town affairs, are found; the first 
record after this long interval shows that the inhabitants 
had ceased to act as a municipal body, and describes 
the measures taken to re-organize in that capacity. It is 
as follows : "March 15, 1717. The inhabitants of Saco 
thought fit to make choice of officers as in other towns by 
reason of a public charge arising in the town, for defray- 
ing public charges, as making a rate for the payment of 
Rev. Mr. Short, and other charges that may arise ; and 
at the meeting of the inhabitants it is a clear vote that 
Humphry Scamman is town clerk, and that Mr. Andrew 



204 HISTORY OF SACO 

Brown, Richard Stimpson, and H. Scamman, be select 
men and assessors, and John Stackpole constable, and lil 
the meeting thought fit not to make choice of any othep 
officers." In May another meeting was held for signing 
a petition to the General Court to obtain a continuance of I 
the minister's salary the ensuing year, "and accordingly/ 
there was a blank signed by the whole meeting, and com- 
mitted to the constable to get a scrivener to draw the 
same," who made return that he had done accordingly,, 
and committed the same to Capt. Lewis Bean, the repre- 
sentative of York. The petition was signed by John 
Lane, and thirteen others, whose names are not record- ■ 
ed ; it was granted by the Court. 

Capt. Lane was at this time the commander of Fort 
Mary, Winter Harbor, where he died not long after. He 
was born in Limerick, Ireland, and emigrated to New 
England while a young man. Before his military ap-- 
pointment, at this place, he had settled in Hampton, N. H.* 
He was succeeded by John Gray, Esq. in the command 
of Fort Mary. This gentleman came from England with 
Gov. Shute 1716, from whom he received both a military 
and a civil commission. He was at Winter Harbor asil 
early as January, 1720. 

At a townmeeting in July, William Dyer was elected 
"attorney or agent of the town for one year." The same 
year, the following petition was presented to the General 
Court by Capt. Bean, "in behalf of himself, Casco bay, 
and Black-point ; Whereas four years ago Benjamin Ha- 
ley was allowed to keep a ferry on Saco river at its mouth, 
which place is inconvenient on account of its nearness to 
the sea, and the roughness thereby occasioned ; and said 
Haley is negligent, and travellers are exposed to danger, 
and there is a more commodious place for one higher 
up where H. Scamman now dwells, whose father for 
many years kept the ferry till in the late war he was dri- 
ven away by Indians ; wherefore he prays that said Scam- 
man may be appointed by this court to keep the ferry at I 
that place." The petition was granted. 



^Family tradition. Col. I. Lane,of HoiUs, is a great-grandson of 
Capt. Lane. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 205 

The next year, 1718, the last meeting of the inhabi- 
tants on both sides of the river under the old name of 
Saco, was holden at the house of John Stackpole ; when 
Ebenezer Hill, Scamman and Stimpson, were chosen se- 
lectmen. No other proceedings of the town this year are 
preserved ; but the records of the General Court in some 
measure supply the deficiency. "Nov. 14, 1718. On 
petition of H. Scamman and others, resolved, that £40 
be allowed and paid out of the public treasury towards 
the support of a minister at Winter Harbor for this year ; 
and that the petitioners be invested with the powers of a 
town according to the ancient bounds thereof; provided 
that this order shall in no measure infringe the just title of 
any person to lands there, and that fifty families at the 
least more than now are, to be admitted as soon as may 
be, and settle in a compact and defensible manner accord- 
ing to the directions of Hon. John Wheelwright [of Wells,] 
and others, the committee for regulating the eastern set- 
tlements ; And that the name thereof be Biddeford."* 

The townmeeting in March, 1719, is the first recorded 
to have been holden in Biddeford. Benjamin Haley, 
Hill and Scamman were chosen selectmen ; John Sharpe 
surveyor. In May, it was "voted that H. Scamman ap- 
pear sent and represent this town before the great and 
General Court at Boston." And "that the selectmen 
give his Excellency thanks, and that his Excellency be 
desired to send for this representative no oftener than 
there is occasion for the service of this town in their be- 
half. Voted that the selectmen run the line between 
Cape Porpoise and this town." 

^ A meeting was held 2 April, 1720, for the purpose of 
dividing the commons or town lands, "for the enlarging 



*Some of the inhabitants we suppose emigrated from Biddeford, 
Eng., which is in the county of Devonshire, near the entrance to 
Bristol Channel, and is thus described by Worcester, Univ. Gazet- 
teer : "Biddeford, or Bideford, (B)' the Ford,) a seaport, 40 miles 
north of Exeter, 108 west of London ; population 3244. It is situa- 
ted near the union of Towridge and the Taw [rivers,] over the 
former of which there is a very long bridge of 24 arches. Large 
quantities of coarse earthen ware are made here, and sent to most 
parts of the Kingdom. The market is large and well supplied with 
provisions." 

18* 



206 HISTORY OF SACO 

the town and settlement" ; 100 acres were voted for a par- 
sonage ; H. Scamman, jr. was granted 50 acres "where 
he can find it clear of all former grants ; and it is agreed 
that he shall not exceed fifty poles in breadth, and all the 5 
lands that shall be given this day, to be laid out according: 
to this form as to quantity of breadth ;" J. Stackpole 40 
acres ; Pendleton Fletcher 50 ; Samuel Cole 45 ; E. , 
Hill 40 ; B. Haley 40 ; Capt. John Sharpe 40 ; W. Dy 
er 40 ; Rob. Edgecomb 30 ; R. Edgecomb jr. 30 ; Rob. . 
Elwell 40 ; John Brown 40 ; Samuel Smith 35 ; Rich-- 
ard Smith 40 ; Ebenezer Pratt 40 ; Solomon Smith 40 ;; 
Mathew Robertson 30 ; Nathaniel Tarbox 40 ; John Da-- 
vis 40 ; Wm. Gibson 40 ; Samuel Scamman 40 ; Samuel 
Jordan 40 ; John Sharpe jr. 30. H. Scamman's grant 
was bounded in part as follows: "Beginning at a point i 
of rocks lying forty poles W. S. W. distance from a bea-- 
ver dam that hinders the passage of the water from fall-^' 
ing into i^ranm Backus^ brook, it being the northernmost! 
branch of Little river, by which is understood the Liitle; 
river on the south west side of Saco river," &;c. 

In 1722 it was voted to raise £22 to defray the charges' 
of the town ; and not to send a representative "by rea- 
son of not being of ability to defray the expense." Five 
years after, the government issued £60,000 in bills of 
credit, which was distributed among the towns, to be 
loaned to individuals, and repaid at stated times with inter- 
est.* Sept. 22, 1728, there was a townmeeting "for the 
choice of three persons as trustees of the £60,000 loan ;'* 
Fletcher, Hill, and H. Scamman were chosen. The 
trustees were directed by the town "to let out the money-, 
in sums not exceeding £10, with sufficient security." 

A further allotment of town lands was made 1728, 
each lot consisting of 30 acres, on condition that the 
grantees paid to the treasurer 4Z. and dwelt in the town 
live years. The following persons received grants at this 
time : Joshua Hooper, Allen Gordon, Henry Pendexter, 
Charles Monk, Edward Rumery, John Smith, John Bry- 
ant, Jacob Davis, Samuel Cole, Joseph Gordon, Pendle- 



'Hutch. Hist. Mass. ii. 207. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 201 

i.')n Fletcher jr., Ebenezer Hill jr., John Stackpole jr., 
John Trevvorgy, Thomas Edgecon^.b, Robert Brooks, 
John Brown, William Dyer jr. Capt. Samuel Jordan. 

The Phillips heirs appeared on the re-settlement of the 
town, and caused a division of their lands to be made. 
The principal tract was four miles square, embracing the 
upper half of the original patent, which had been devised 
by Maj. Phillips to his lady and two sons, Samuel and 
WiUiam, with the exception of one fourth part previously 
sold to Abraham Harmon of Fayal. Samuel, a few years 
after the death of his father, as we have stated, sold his 
undivided part, being one fourth of the whole, to Capt. 
Geo. Turfrey. One lialf of the tract only, therefore, was 
claimed by the Phillips family, at the time of the division, 
which took place in September, 1718. Those who ap- 
peared, were William Phillips, Deborah, the wife of Vv^il- 
liam Skinner, Sarah and Anne Phillips, singlewomen, and 
Bridget, the wife of John Merryfield, all of Boston, grand- 
children of JMaj. Phillips. On the part of the other pro- 
prietors, John Briggs of Boston alone appeared, whose 
wife Katherine w^as a daughter of Capt. Tui frey. The 
division was made by Messrs. Joseph Hill of Wells, and 
Lewis Bean of York, commissioners, and Abraham Pre- 
ble of York, surveyor. They began "at a small brook 
j ,^ below the Falls, known by the name of Davis's brook, 
and thence ran four miles up the river, and thence back- 
wards into the country four miles ;" including Bonython 
and Cow islands, and the sawmill built by Capt. Turfrey. 
Six acres about the mill were assigned to the proprietors 
in common for a landing, still known 'as the mill brow.' 
I ' The commissioners then proceeded as follows : 1 . They 
iy laid out to Briggs, beginning at Davis's brook, an extent 
' of eighty rods on the river, running back south west four 
miles to the bounds of the patent. 2. To the Phillips 
i heirs 160 rods next above on the river, and four miles 
back. 3. To the heirs or assigns of Harmon eighty rods. 
4. To the Phillips heirs one mile and p half. 5. To 
Briggs three fourths of a mile. 6. To Harmon three 
fourths of a mile. Two years pSter, the Phillips heirs 
sold out in part to Edward Brcmrialr] jr., Thomas Sal- 
ter, Samuel Adams, (father of Gov. S. Adams,) and 



208 HISTORY OP 9AC0 

Henry Hill, all of Boston. Briggs also sold in part to 
Tristram Little of Newbury, a few years later. The 
supposed heir of Harmon, George Buck of Biddeford, 
England, did not appear until a much later date. In 
1758 he sold Harmon's first lot, eighty rods wide, to Benj. 
Nason ; and nine years after the second lot, 3-4 of a 
mile in breadth, to John Mc Intire of York. Correspon- 
ding shares in the mill, long known as 'the lower mill,' 
were conveyed with the land. This mill, originally built 
by Capt. George Turfrey probably soon after his pur- 
chase (1691,) continued to be renewed until 1814, when 
it was carried away by 'the great freshet'. The Eddy 
mill was afterwards built nearly on the same privilege. At 
the time of this division, Samuel Cole was living near the 
mill brow ; and the following year he purchased twelve 
acres lying above the Turfrey mill, including the steep 
fall privilege, on which he soon after buih the Cole mill, 
where it now stands. Twenty years later (1740) Cole 
sold, as a part of his 12 acres, one half of the Goock 
mill privilege to Thomas Wheelwright of Wells ; and the 
latter directly after sold 1-4 to Benj. Gooch of Wells. 
Cole, in his conveyance to Wlieelwright, speaks of his 
old mill ; referring to the Cole mill, which was built 
about 1720. in the spring of 1741, the three pro- 
prietors built the Gooch mill on the island now called 
Gooch island, separated from the main by a channel 
formerly known as Jordan's creek. The right of Cole 
to convey any part of the island, (containing three or 
four acres,) has long been a vexed question, from which 
innumerable lawsuits have sprung. 

Nathaniel, a son of Major Phillips, left no lineal heirs. 
His nephew William took out administration on his estate 
1719, and brought in a tract of land IJ miles in breadth 
on the river, and extending four miles to the southwest. 
Adams, Salter, and Bromfield, afterwards joined by Pep- 
perell, purchased out the collateral heirs, and divided the 
tract among themselves. Parker's neck, on which Fort 
Mary was built, formed a part of this property, and was 
sold by the heirs to Capt. Samuel Jordan 1727. Capt. 
Jordan erected a dwellinghouse there not long before, 
which is now standing, occupied by Deacon Waldo Hill. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 209^ 

His conveyance runs — "All the land between the lower 
end of the pines on Parker's neck, commonly called 
Wind mill hill, to the cove before said Jordan's dwelling- 
house." The division was made 1730, and included a 
somewhat greater extent than the land of Nathl. Phillips. 
The proprietors first divided a tract bounded on the south- 
erly hne of Phillips's patent, (terminating at the river 
with the house of Ambrose Berry, probably near Clarke's 
brook,) and running up the river 242 rods; Secondly, a 
tract adjoining this, extending 224 rods above, to the land 
of Mr. Gordon, formerly Pendleton's ; the first about 
three, the second four, miles in length, southwesterly from 
the river. 

The 600 acres devised by Maj. Pendleton to his son 
James, were conveyed by the latter to Nicholas Morey 
of Taunton, Mass. in 1700. James describes himself 
"of Westerly alias Haversham, in Rhode Island and 
Providence Plantations."^ Mr. Morey took possession 
of the Pendleton tract, the same year in presence of Joseph 
and John Hill. John Gordon, of Newbury, afterwards 
purchased a part of this land on which liis sons Allen 
and Joseph were settled 1728. It is still occupied by 
descendants of Joseph Gordon. 

The 500 acres conveyed by Maj. Phillips to Zachary 
Gillam and Ephraim Turner, his'sons in law, lay next a- 
bove Pendleton's, having West's brook on the south east. 
The lot was about 70 rods wide. Next came the land of 
William Hutchinson, "formerly called Liscomb's lot," 
containing the same number of acres. In 1742, Abigail 
Gillam, widow Abigail Taylor, and Brattle Oliver, of Bos- 
ton, sold both lots to Capt. Samuel Jordan, Rishworth 
Jordan, (his son,) and Joseph Poak of Scarboro' ; the 
latter taking one half, as his part of the purchase, on 
which he afterwards lived, since called Poakh right. 

The strip of land in breadth from Nason's hill to Davis's 
brook, (which crosses the street near the store of Daniel 

*The town of Westerly, R. I. was formerly a part of Stonington, 
Conn., from which it is separated by the river Pawcatuck. At a 
court holden in Rhode Island by Jos Dudley, President of New Eng- 
land, and three of the Council, 1686, Mr. Pendleton v/as, present as 
an associate justice. 1 Mass. Hist. Coll. ix. 82. v. 247. 



210 HISTORY OF SACO 

Deshon, Esq.) was claimed, 1718, by John Hobbs of Bos- 
ton, grandson of Christopher Hobbs, who bought of Maj. 
Phillips 1673. It was for many years the property of 
Col. John Tyng, of Tyngsboro, Mass., who died 1797. 

Such is as minute a description of the principal divis- 
ions and conveyances of land within the patent on the 
western side of the river, as it is consistent with our limits 
to admit. In relation to the commons, or town lands, it 
may be remarked that their extent on the river appears to 
have been to Clarke's brook, near the mouth of which is 
a place called Berry^s back, which probably indicates the 
situation of "the house of Ambrose Berry," mentioned 
in the report of the Mass. Commissioners 1659. Some 
dispute or doubt seems to have existed in regard to the 
town's right, in 1738, when the deposition of Joseph Hill 
Esq. of Wells was taken, who stated, that having been 
born in Saco, as his parents informed him, sixty seven 
years past, and lived there a considerable time, he always 
understood that the land which lay next the sea below 
Ambrose Berry, was consented to by Maj. Phillips to be 
at the town's disposal ; and that all the inhabitants in the 
patent above Berry, derived their title from Phillips, of 
whom there were then (1738) upwards of twenty families. 

The improvements of Blackman and his associates on 
the eastern side of the river were probably abandoned 
during the Indian troubles. A few families may have 
lingered about the Falls, but there is no reason to sup- 
pose that the operations of the proprietors were continu- 
ed. They laid the foundation on which an enterprising 
company now began to build. In October, 1716, Samuel 
Walker of New Jersey, sold his two thirds of the Black- 
man purchase to William Pepperell, junior, afterwards 
Sir WiHiam, who was then only twenty years of age, but 
was engaged in extensive business with his father, Col. 
Pepperell, at Kittery-point. The following year young 
Pepperell purchased the remaining third part of the tract 
from Thomas Goodwill of Boston, who seems to have 
derived the tide from his wife Rebecca, probably a daugh- 
ter of Mr. Blackman. The bounds of the right are de- 
scribed in these as in the former deeds, including a pri- 
vilege for timber on 4500 acres northwest of the pur- 



AND BIDDEFORB. 211 

cfiase. Directly after these transactions, Pepperell sold 
out two fourths of the whole tract to Nathaniel Weare 
of Hampton, millwright, and Humphry Scamman, junior, 
of this town, mariner, who together, in part payment, 
erected a double sawmill on the site of the old Black- 
mail mill, and a dwellinghouse for the accommodation of 
the millmen, one half of which was to be the property of 
Pepperell. A division of the mill and of a lot of land 
adjoining, half a mile square, with a small reservation to 
be used in common, was made by the partners 16 De- 
cember, 1717. Pepperell took a breadth of 80 rods, 
comprehending the part of the present village east of 
Main street, to the lower fence of the burying ground ; 
Scamman 40 rods next below, and Weare 40 rods, to 
the brook near Pipe Stave, now Gray's, point. Th« 
whole tract, extending from Nichols's brook to the upper 
bounds of Gibbins's third division, a distance of 4j 
miles, and in breadth not less than two miles, was divided 
20 October, 1718, in the following manner : First, Pep- 
perell began at Nichols's brook, ran 44 rods ; next Scam- 
man 22 rods, and Weare 22 rods; which brought them 
to Gray's point, the lower side of the lot divided the year 
before. They now extended the north east bounds of that 
lot to the middle line of the patent ; then beginning at its 
upper side, (on Main street,) they set off, following the 
river, to Weare 40 rods, Scamman 40, Pepperell 80 ; 
(extending back two miles ;) again, Pepperell 120, Scam- 
man 60, Weare 60 : Pepperell 120, Scamman 60, Weare 
60; Pepperell 120, Scamman 60, Weare 60; Pepper- 
ell 127, Scamman 67J, Weare 67J, which completed 
the tract. A large rock in the river, above Little falls, 
marks the extent of the division, as now understood. 

Several ways or roads were laid out at the same time ; 
one "to run from the mill northeast two miles to the mid- 
dle line of the patent, four rods wide," which is at pre- 
sent Main street and the post road as far as the house of 
John Foss. Another was *'to run southeast and north- 
west about half a mile from the river, four rods wide, 
through the whole division" ; now to a certain extent the 
Buxton and Ferry roads. "Likewise a way by the river 
through all the aforesaid land as near as may be to the 



212 HISTORY OF SACO 

river, with convenience for men and oxen to pass and re- 
pass ; as likewise we reserve liberty to bring timber any 
ways upon all the aforesaid land to the said mill or the 
river, without it be through a mowing field, or cornfield, 
or orchard." Landing places were also reserved for com- 
mon use : one opposite Jordan's, now Spring's, island, sub- 
sequently called Dennett's landing ; another near Tucker's i 
wharf, which was long known as 'Pepperell's landing' ; ; 
and on Pipe Stave point. 

The privilege of cutting timber on the land northwest 
of the purchase, being J. Bonython's Second division,, 
was also divided by the proprietors. Pepperell took the 
upper half of the tract, Weare the next quarter, and 
Scamman the lower quarter. Landings were established 
on the river side of this privilege, from which roads led 
into the woods. The valuable island opposite to the mill, 
since well known as Cutts's or Factory island, was claimed 
by the proprietors under the name of Indian island, which, 
however, seems to have been attached to the Phillips 
estate, with the name of 'Bonython's island."* The di- 
Tision of the mill was as follows : "Pepperell takes the 
saw and frame next to the land, and the piling place next 
to the land ; and the saw and frame next to the river, 
said Weare and said Scamman are to have, and the piling 
place on the rock next to the river ; each owner of said 
saw is to maintain and keep in order his running gear and 
saw and all that belongs to each frame. As to the house, 
said Pepperell has the eastern half, and said Weare and 
Scamman are to have the western half." The house 
built for the proprietors has long since disappeared. A- 
nother erected about 1720 by Capt. Scamman, one story 
high, with a gable roof, was sold by his son to Mr. Ro- 
bert Gray 1744, who added another story soon after, in 
which state it is still occupied by his grandson, James 
Gray, Esq. This venerable mansion, the oldest now stan- 



*The sale of ^ of this island to Bonython by Phillips 1667, for a 
quantity of logs, has been already mentioned, p. 162. The island was 
divided between them the same year, when "the half next the Ma- 
jor's house" was assigned to him, and the remainder to Bonython. 
The island is not mentioned in the deeds to or from Blackman. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 21i5 

ding in Saco, with its high steep roof, io the most conspi- 
cuous object in ascending the river, above the Narrows, 
being placed on an eminence from which a wide view is 
commanded. It was for a considerable period protected 
from the ravages of the Indians by a strong garrison wall 
with flankers. Capt. Scamman was the only one of the 
proprietors resident in town, and continued to carry on 
the mill until his death, which took place in 1734, at the 
age of fifty eight years. His father, as already stated, 
died a few years before. The children of the former, 
born 1715-29, were iVlary, Sarah, who married Joseph 
Hanson of Dover 1737, Humphry, removed to Kittery 

1744, and lived to an advanced age, Dominicus, James, 
Nathaniel, Benjamin, both of whom died at Cape Breton, 

1745, and Jeremiah, died in infancy. The estate of 
Capt. Scamman, soon after his decease, was divided a- 
mong his children. 

A division of the Foxwell estate among the heirs and 
their assigns took place 1732. The lower checker set 
off to Foxwell and Harmon in the division of the Patent, 
was divided into two equal parts by a northwest line, run- 
ning from the sea to the head of the checker, a distance 
of two miles and fifty rods : of which the part on the 
south west being left to the heirs of Harmon, the remain- 
ing half, one mile in breadth, was allotted to the Foxwell 
heirs. A narrow strip only of the latter now lies in Saco, 
including a lot 70 rods wide, assigned to Pepperell as 
the representative of Mrs. Corbain, heiress of Nathaniel 
Foxwell, and another of 35 rods, Mrs. Norton's portion ; 
so much have the bounds of Scarboro' advanced into the 
original Saco township. The lots were laid out in length 
from the marsh (which was separately divided) to the head 
of the checker, 518 rods. The eastern moiety of the 
upper Foxwell and Harmon checker, was distributed in- 
to lots running from the patent line to the middle of the 
checker ; the lowest lot, 123 rods wide, was assigned to 
Pepperell; the next, 91 J, to the heirs of Lucretia Rob- 
inson ; the next, 91^, to the heirs of Mary Norton ; the 
next, 91 J, to the heirs of Sarah Curtis; the next, 91 J, 
to the heirs of Esther Rogers ; the next, 91^, to Susan- 
nah Austin. The Pepperell lot, being the inheritance of 
19 



214 



HISTORY OF SACO 



Nathaniel Foxwell, was a double portion. The dividing 
line between Saco and Scarboro', as it now runs, leaves 
about two thirds of the division in the latter town. 

The division of the Gibbins estate 1730, has been 
noticed in a preceding cliapter. Beside lands lying 
near the mouth of the river, the two checkers on the 
eastern side of the Patent, being Gibbins's Second and 
Fourth divisions, were then assigned to the heirs. The ; 
former checker was divided into four lots, each measur- ■ 
ing 147 rods on the patent line ; of which the lowest 
was assigned to Rebecca Wakefield and Patience Anna-' 
ble ; the next to Hannah Mace; the next to Rachel 
Edgecomb ; the next, being the head of the checker, to > 
Elizabeth Sharpe. "Moreover," say the Commissioners, 
*'we do agree that the stream [Foxwell's brook] and the 
falls which are known by the name of FoxivelPs falls, , 
which belong to the heirs of Hannah Mace, Rebecca 
Wakefield, and Patience Annable, equally in quantity and 
quality, to be divided when they shall see cause lo set up 
a mill or mills." The upper checker, now called the Me 
Kinney district, was left in common to the heirs at that 
time. 

In 1732, administration was granted on the estate of 
John Bonython, nearly fifty years after his decease, and 
a division was made to the heirs of his five children. The 
administrators brought in 5000 acres of land, valued at 
ISs. per acre, comprising nearly the two checkers set off 
to him in the division of the Patent. The heirs, one of 
whom was Patience Collins, wife of John Collins, and on- 
ly surviving child of John Bonython jr., sold out to James 
Skinner, James Morgan, and Humphry Scamman, im- 
mediately after the division. The premises were again 
divided, 1735, by Skinner, Morgan, and the heirs of Scam- 
man. The third part of the upper checker adjoining 
the head line of the Patent, was assigned to Skinner ; , 
the next to the heirs of Scamman ; the last to Morgan. 
The lower checker, excepting the part lying above Nich- 
«)ls's brook, was divided in a similar manner. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 2l5 ' 



CHAPTER U. 



No other single cause so much retarded the growth, 
and checked the general prosperity of the town, as its ex- 
posure to the barbarous inroads of the Indians. It was 
still a frontier settlement, and hardly were the inhabitants 
quietly seated again on their lands, (with a considerable 
accession of numbers, however, from various quarters,) 
before the country was involved in another contest with 
the savage enemy, as destructive as any former one. 
The French government beinji; rendered uneasy by the 
extension of the English settlements in the eastern coun- 
try, after the peace of 1713, secretly promised to sup- 
ply the Indians with arms and ammunition if they would 
renew hostilities. Their principal agent in this business 
was the celebrated Ralle, a French Jesuit, who had liv- 
ed nearly forty years among the Indians at Norridgewock. 
The governor of Canada kept up a correspondence with 
this priest, who informed him of the movements of the 
Indians. The English inhabitants were alarmed by the 
attempts made to excite the Indians to war, and the threats 
thrown out by them from time to time, till at length, in- 
duced by their representations. Gov. Shute, in the year 
1717, summoned a conference at Arrowsick, a well 
known island in the Kennebec. By dint of promises and 
conciliatory speeches, the storm was averted for the pre- 
sent. But three years after, some depredations being 
committed on the eastern settlements, fresh alarm spread 
through the province. Col. Walton of Somersworth, N. 
H. was sent down with a small body of men. The gar- 
risons were also reinforced. No further mischief was 
done, however, that season. The next summer (1721) 
a conference of the French and Indians was held on 
Arrowsick, attended by Father Ralle, young Castine of 
Penobscot, son of the late Baron, and Croisil, an agent 
from Canada. Great numbers of Indians were present. 
Capt. Penhallow, commander of the English fort on the 
island, likewise attended ; to whom a letter was deliver- 
ed, addressed to Gov. Shute, in the name of the several 
tribes, in which they threatened to kill the English and 



216 HISTOKY OP SAC© 

burn their houses, unless they removed within three weeks 
from the settlements, on the eastern side of the Kennebec. 
No other notice was taken of this menace, than to send 
re-inforcements, and invite another conference. But the 
following winter a party, commanded by Col. Thomas 
Westbrook, was despatched to Norridgewock to seize 
the Jesuit ; they succeeded only in capturing a box of 
papers, Ralle escaping into the woods. The contents of 
the box afforded abundant proofs of his exertions to in- 
flame the minds of the Indians against the English inhabi- 
tants, in favor of the French. The ensuing summer, 1722, 
hostilities commenced with the capture of nine families 
near Merrymeeting bay on the Kennebec by a party which 
was composed of sixty men in twenty canoes ;* no blood 
was shed. A few weeks after, a furious attack was made 
on Brunswick, where the houses were chiefly burned. 
On receiving this news, the Governor and Council issued 
a formal declaration of war, proclaiming "the Eastern In- 
dians, with their confederates, robbers, traitors, and ene- 
mies to King George." Forces were immediately order- 
ed to be sent into the County of York, to be stationed in'| 
garrisons; the number of men assigned to Biddeford was ; 
twenty. 

Early the next year, 1723, the Indians commenced a 
series of cruel depredations in this part of the county, ^ 
and on the frontier towns of New tfampshire. They 
made a sudden attack on Scarboro' in April, and killed 
several of the inhabitants; among them was Sergeant 
Chubb, whom the Indians mistook for Capt. Harmon of ). 
York, a distinguished warrior. Chubb fell pierced by no 
less than eleven bullets out of fifteen aimed at him. In ! 
June they attacked the garrison of Roger Deering, Esq. ^ 
in the same town, killed his wife, and took three of his:3 
children, who were picking berries ; two soldiers of the 
garrison were killed at the same time. 

During this summer Mary, a daughter of Capt. Hum- 



"The canoe of an Eastern Indian is usually of sufficient dimen- 
sions to contain a family of six or eight persons. The warriors were 
generally accompanied by their women and children in their hostile 
expeditions. There is a singular error on this subject in the late ex- 
cellent edition of Winthrop. i. 59, 



AND BIDDEFORD. 217' 

phry Scam man, was taken by the Indians while visiting a 
family connection in Scarborough. John Hunnuel and 
Rob. Jordan were made prisoners the same day.* Mary, 
who was but eight or nine years of age at that time, was 
carried to Canada, where, it is said, being a bright girl, 
she attracted the attention of Vandreil, the governor, who 
received her into his family. Here she remained sever- 
al years, and was carefully educated in the Roman Catho- 
lic faith, while her father was profoundly ignorant of her 
situation. She was at length married to Mons. Dunin- 
cour, a gentleman of Quebec ; after which event infor- 
mation of the lost child reached the family. Soon after 
the intelligence was received, Humphry Scamman, a 
brod)er of iMary, performed a journey to Quebec, through 
the wilderness, for the purpose of inducing her to re- 
turn. He met with a kind reception from his sister, and 
her husband, who was a man of handsome estate and liv- 
ed in splendour, as Humphry afterwards reported. He 
remonstrated with her on the subject of her religion, but 
all to no purpose; nor was she at all disposed to return 
with him to the place of her nativity, from which so 
long a residence among the French had completely wean- 
ed her afflictions. Several years later, 1778, Mr. Ebene- 
zer Ayer, a connection of the family, was at Quebec, and 
made enquiries for Mary, but she was no longer living. 
Her portion of the estate of Capt. Scamman, which had 



*Tlie following circumstances relating to a person of the former 
name (Hunnewell) are told by Rev Mr. Tilton, in a MS. account of 
Scarbnro' ''While mowing on the marsh he discovered the move- 
ments of some Indians on Blue-point. Separated from them by tha 
river and a considerable body of marsh, he concluded he could not 
be in dunirer. He ha I placed his gun by a staddle [stack of hay,] 
and mowing at a distance from it, an Indian unperceived by him, had 
crossed the river, and under its bank crept up through the thatch and 
secured his gun. Mr. Hunnewell, at length seeing his desperate situa- 
tion, continued his mowing as if he had not discovered the Indian, 
till he had advanced within a few yards of him, when he suddenly 
sprung forward with his scythe, and so roared out at the Indian 
that he had no command of his gun, and retreating backwards as 
Mr. Hunnewell advanced, stepped into a hole and fell. Mr. H cut 
him off with his scythe, and holding up and brandishing it in view of 
the Indians, who had already begun their shouts on the other side, 
challenged them to come over, and he would serve them in the same 
manner." 

19* 



218 HISTORY OF SACO 

been set off to her, was divided at a recent period among 
the other heirs ; it is called the Canada lot.* 

Col. Thomas VVestbrook was appointed to command' 
the forces in Maine the same year. He came to Winter 
Harbor with a body of men in May, and supplied Fort: 
Mary and the garrisons in the town with men and provi- 
sions. Tlie fort was commanded at that time by Capt. , 
Ward. The following extracts from the journal of Col., 
Westbrook, furnish an account of his operations at this 
place. "May 8. Arrived at Winter Harbor ; supplied 
Capt. Ward with provisions and other stores for his com- 
pany. Lieut. Dominicus Jordan being here, supplied 1 
him with 76 days' provisions for five men posted at his 
garrison at Spurwink. May 9. Supplied Richard Stimp- 
son with provisions for five men posted at his garrison for 
76 days. Proceeded to visit the several garrisons in the 
town, accompanied by the principal part of the inhabi- 
tants, with whom I consulted the properest method to be 
taken for the security of the inhabitants. Returned 
through the woods to Mr. Samuel Jordan's. On my re- 
turn gave Capt. Ward orders to post men at the several 
garrisons as follows : at Mr. Hill's 3 ; at Stackpole's 4 ; 
at Tarbox's 4 ; at Dyer's 3 ; at Capt. Sharp's 3. The 
men were ordered to obey the commands of the masters 
of the garrisons where they were posted, doing their du- 
ty of watching and warding until further order, and not 
to absent themselves at any time v^ithout liberty. Mayi, 
10. Posted four men at John Brown's garrison at Saco 
Falls ; supplied him with provisions, and ammunition. 
Sabbath day, 12th. Rev. Mr. Eveleth preached two ser- 
mons at the Fort." 

Of the garrisons mentioned in the Journal, Hill's was 
on Ferry lane, between the house of Capt. I. Lassell and 
the main road. Stackpole's was on the spot where Judge- 
Jordan afterwards erected a house, now occupied by his 
son Ralph Tristram Jordan, Esq. Dyer's and Tarbox's 



*Tlie above account appears to be the most anthontic tradition nni 
the subject, for which we are indebted to one of the faniilv, who has 
often heard Humphry Scamtnan relate the story of his visit to hia 
loni^ lost and 'wept' sister. The name of Mary's h■^^;!>and is pronoun-i 
eed Diinincoor j we aro not certain as to its orthography. j 



AND BIDDEFORD. 21^ 

garrisons were in the lower part of the town near the 
Pool. Capt. Sharpe lived on Rendezvous-point, near 
Haley's gut. The cellar of his house is still visible. In 
a disposition of other forces made the same year, it was 
ordered that "15 men and a sergeant be posted at Saco 
Falls, six of them on the east side of the river in the gar- 
rison, and the others on the west side." The garrison 
on the eastern side was probably that of John Brown, and 
appears to have been situated where the store of Mr. 
Jonathan King now stands. Within the recollection of 
persons of not very advanced age, the remains of a forti- 
fication have been seen on that spot, which was called 
Fort hill. The ground has been since much levelled. 

Early the next year, 1724, Father Ralle and the In- 
dian village at Norridgewock were destroyed. The fate 
of the Jesuit was truly tragical, but not undeserved ; his 
influence had been used to encourage the barbarous as- 
saults of tlie Norridgewocks on the defenceless settle- 
ments, in execution of the policy of the French govern- 
ment. The enterprise was conducted by Capts. John- 
son Harmon and Jeremiah Moulton, both of York, at 
the head of two hrmdred men. 

In May, the Indians after killing one man and wound- 
ing another at Cape Elizabeth, came to this place ; but, 
the inhabitants being well secured in their garrisons, they 
succeeded only in taking the life of a friendly native, 
named David Hill. We hear of no other mischief done 
here during the remainder of the war, of which we can 
assign the exact date. Mr. John Siackpole, father of the 
late Deacon Stackpole, was made prisoner under the fol- 
lowing circumstances. He was taken on the beach lead- 
ing to the Neck ; espying the Indians at a distance, he 
ran into the Pool, and attempted to wjide across ; but one 
of the party, said to have been the noted Wahwa, who 
was well known to Stackpole, pursued him, crying out, 
"j5oow quarter, John ! boon quarter!'^ meaning that he 
would spare his life. Unable to escape, Stackpole yield- 
ed himself a prisoner. The party took him to Canada, 
passing a winter on the way in the wilderness near the 
Wiiite mountains. He relumed nfier an absence of 19 
months. Nathaniel Tarbox and Thomas Haley were 



22© HISTORY OF SACO 

killed at Winter Harbor in the course of the war ; the 
former was quite young. 

In 1725, occurred the celebrated affair of Capt. Lovell 
and his company with the Pequawket Indians, on the 
shore of a pond in Fryeburg, which now bears the name 
of the ill-fated hero. One of the survivors of this des- 
perate battle, Josiah Jones, having been badly wounded, 
was left by his companions at a short distance from the 
scene of the action, in despair of his ability to return ; 
but Jones gathering strength, succeeded in finding his 
way through the wilderness, subsisting on berries and 
roots, and arrived after several days at this place. He 
was wretchedly emaciated by hunger, and almost ex- 
hausted from the loss of blood, having been ufiable to 
staunch his wounds completely before he came in. "He 
was kindly treated," says the author of a valuable account 
of the battle, "by the people at Saco, and recovered of 
his wounds."* The Pequawkets were never formidable 
as a tribe after this time ; the remnant of them that re- 
mained about the head of Saco river, became pensioners 
on the bounty of government, and have at length sunk in- 
to total extinction. The last of the race died several 
years since. 

In the course of the year, commissioners were sent 
by Mass. to Canada, to remonstrate with the governor 
of that province on his violation of the neutrality existing 
between England and France. An interview look place 
at the same time, by the mediation of the governor, be- 
tween the commissioners and several chiefs of the In- 
dians ; the latter modestly proposed, "that if the English 
would demolish all their forts, and remove one mile west- "I 
ward of Saco river, rebuild their church at Norridge- 
wock and restore to them their priest^ they would be bro- 
thers again." It is unnecessary to say that such terms 
were not regarded as a serious proposition for peace. A 
treaty was, however, made, in December, with the Penob- 
scot and the other eastern tribes, and confirmed the follow- 



*Rev. T. Symmes, of Bradford, Mass. See, also, Belknap. Hist. 
N. H. ii. 53. and a Centennial Address, commemorating' the battle, 
delivered at Fryeburg 1825, by C. S. Daveis, Esq. of Portland. 



AND BIDDEFORD'. 221 

ing summer at Falmouth, where Lieut. Gov. Dummer, 
the acting Governor of Mass. Bay, Messrs. Weniworth 
of New Hampshire, and Mascarene of Nova Scotia, 
with other gentlemen, met the Penobscot chief, who ap- 
peared in behalf of all the tribes.* 

This treaty was considered the most judicious that had 
ever been made with the Indians,f and was followed by 
a long cessation of hostilities. As the Penobscot chief 
alone was present, it was considered necessary to call 
another conference at the same place the succeeding 
year; when the sachems of the other tribes appeared, 
and gave their assent to the articles of the treaty. Among 
the persons who signed the treaty on the part of the gov- 
ernment, we find the name of Samuel Jordan, of this 
town. J The war, which had lasted three years, was 
computed to have cost the Government of Mass. Bay no 
less than £170,000. The savages lost at least one third 
of their whole strength. § The Indians were promised in 
the treaty to have tradinghouses established, for supplying 
them with goods, in exchange for furs and other commo- 



*The Rev. Thomas Smith was then the minister of Falmouth ; 
ifrom whose journal, published a few years since, we extract the fol- 
Jowing notices of the nerrotiation of the treaty. 

' "July 15, 1726. The New Hampshire gentlemen came here in a 
ibrijr. 16. The Mass. arentlemen came here in the evening, and he 
jlxilow. 17. Sunday. The gentlemen all at meeting. In the mor- 
'ning the gentlemen came on shore and made considerable appearance 
with their drums and guns. The governor [Dummer] guarded ia 
pomp to meeting. 22. The gentlemen spent this week entirely idle 
waiting for the Indians. 23. The Indians came here from Penobscot 
on a message to the government, and were sent away in the after- 
noon. — . The Lieut Gov., with the gentlemen, sailed up the bay. 
29. This mo-ning tlie gentlemen returned from Arowsick [Kenne- 
bec] The IndiaTjs to the number of 40, all of the Penobscot tribe, 
fcame in here. In the afternoon the Congress opened. August 1. 
[There was a nublic dinner. 2. Several days were spent in private 
(treaties, to pave the way for the public ratifications. 4. All private 
conferences were finished this day. 5. The ratification of the peace 
iwas publicly done this day in the meeting house. 6. Some affairs 
relating to the ratification that were left unsettled yesterday, were 
this day finished, and all concluded with a public dinner. 8. The N. 
H. gentlemen sailed 10. This week spent in interpreting to the In- 
dians the journal of all their actions, and in fully settling some other 
matters. 12 The governor and other gentlemen sailed this day foe 
. Boston. Capt. Franklin carried the Indians to St. Georges." 

tHutch. Hist. ii. 2d7. :tN. H. Hist. Coll. ii. 261. §Penhal!ow. 



122 HISTORY OF SACO 

dities of their own procuring. The same promise had 
been made by Gov. Shiite ten years before, but the Gen- 
eral Court made no provision for its performance. This ;' 
measure was now carried into effect. The General 
Court passed resolves, for establishing tradinghouses on the ; 
rivers St. Georges, Kennebec, and Saco. Lieut. Gov-^ -i 
ernor Dummer, in his speech 1727, informed the House i 
"that he had received a pressing letter from Agani- 
muet, the Principal of the Arrasagunsacook Indians"*^ I 
that appeared at the late treaty, that there may be a sla- 
ted supply for that tribe at Winter Harbor" ; and recom- 
mended that place or some other on Saco river for the : 
purpose. The House fixed on Fort Mary, at Winter 
Harbor. A memorial from Capt. James Woodside, com- 
mander of Fort Mary, was presented at the same time, 
showing that said Fort was out of repair, "of which,**' 
says the memorial, "His Honor, the Lieut. Governor, 
was aware when there last summer."f The Court pas- 
sed an order, empowering Capt. Samuel Jordan to attend 
to this subject. Capt. Woodside was the first truckmas- 
ter, or superintendent of the tradinghouse. An attempt 
was made to have him dismissed from the charge, as "un- 
fit and disagreeable to the Indians," but without success. 
At the winter session of the court, 1727-8, a petition 
was presented from John Stackpole in behalf of himself 
and sundry other inhabitants, against the tradinghouse be- 
ing near the sea, and praying that it may be further re- 
moved from the town. The subject was referred to a 
committee, who reported in favor of removing the truck- 
house to Salmon Falls, "8 or 9 miles above the old stone i 
fort, on the west side of Saco river." They also recom- 
mended to erect a building 55 feet long, 27 feet wide, 
and nine feet stud ; to be composed of square pine tim- 
ber, nine inches thick, together with a storehouse for 
safely keeping the goods. The report was accepted. 
The plan was carried into effect the following season, on 
a spot now in Hollis, J mile below Union Falls. A ser-^- 
geant with a guard of ten men was stationed there, for 

*On the upper part of Androscoggin river. tMass. Records. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 223 

the protection of the trade. The triickmaster received 
a salary of jC 120. A chaplain was also appointed, who 
probably visited the other tradinahouses. An order 
passed, directing the treasurer of the Province to sup- 
ply ^oods to the amount of £800. Capt. Thomas Smith, 
a merchant, of Boston, was appointed truckmaster as 
early as 1737.* He was fiither of the Falmouth minister, 
whose journal we have quoted. Under date July, 1739, 
the latter says : "The Governor lodged at my father's 
truckhouse this night." Again : "Dec. 21, 1740. I rode 
to Saco, lodged with my father at Smith's, [tavern] who 
was forced out of his own lodgings by vast quantities of 
ice, which jambed and raised the water 18 inches higher 
than his bedstead." There had been 'a great freshet' a 
few days before. The Truckhouse was on the bank of 
the river, and liable to be inundated. The tavern at 
which they lodged, was kept by Capt. Daniel Smith, who 
lived near the upper meetinghouse in Bidrieford, where 
Mr. Joseph Dearbon's house now stands. Capt. Thomas 
Smith died, probably at his son's house in Falmouth, 
Feb. 18, 1742.t 



CHAPTER III. 



The Rev. Mathew Short was preaching at Winter Har- 
bor on the re-organization of the town 1717. A petition 
of the inhabitants to the General Court 1720, states, 
that "whereas this court has been pleased for some time 
to allow the sum of 40/. a year for the support of their 
minister, who is likewise chaplain of his Majesty's Fort 
at Winter Harbor, the said allowance is still necessary, 
said town being poor and thin of inhabitants." The same 
sum was granted several years. A small grant (40 acres) 
from the town to Mr. Short, was laid out in 1721. He 
soon after removed to Easton, Mass., and died before 

*Mass. Records. tJournal. 33. 



224 HISTORY OF SACO 

1731. He sold his land in Biddeford, 130 acres in all, , 
to Rev. Thomas Foxcroft of Boston, 1726, by whom it : 
was aftervvards conveyed to Rev. Samuel Willard. The 
births of two children of Mathew and Margaret Short, , 
are recorded in the town-book, viz. Mathew, 20 April, ,' 
1719 ; Ebenezer, 21 March, 1721. Mr. Short gradua-- 
ted at Harvard College, 1707. 

The next minister was Rev. John Eveleth ; who took ; 
his collegiate degree at Harvard 1689. He preached at i 
Stow, Mass. 1700, and was settled there a few years af- 
ter.* Being dismissed from that place 1717, he after- -j 
wards preached at Manchester, Mass., and in 1719, came 
to Arundel (now Kennebunk-port.) March 4, 1723, 
Scamman and Hill were appointed by our townsmen "to 
discourse with Mr. Eveleth and the selectmen of Arun-- 
del," to know whether the consent of both parties could 1 
be attained for him to divide his services equally between 
Arundel and Biddeford for one year. The proposition 
was accepted, and the town voted him £26 for the half 
year. Mr. Eveleth continued to preach in this manner 
until 1726, when the town determined to have a whole 
minister. Three years after he was dismissed from Ar- 
undel, and discontinued preaching,-)- being somewhat ad- 
vanced in years. 

Mr. Eveleth was succeeded by Rev. Marston Cabot, a 
graduate of Harvard 1724. He came to this town 1727, 
but declined settling, although offered a good stipend, viz. 
£80 per annum, and board ; and "when he should see 
cause to alter his condition, to keep house, then the town 
promises to build and give him a convenient house as a 
parsonage and 100 acres of land, or to give him £110, 
and let him provide for himself." He remained about 
two years, living with Capt. Samuel Jordan, who was 
paid £35 a year for his board. Mr. Cabot afterwards, 
settled in Killingly, Conn. J 

In Sept. 1728, the town voted "that Mr. Moses Hale 
be sent to, to dispense the word of God, if to be obtain- 
ed" ; probably the same graduated 1722. He did not 



*1 Mass. Hist. Coll. x. 83. tGreenleaf. Eccl. Sketches. 60. 
^Farmer. MS. letter. 



I AND BIDDEFORD. 225 

I 

come. Mr. John Moody was preaching here early the 
\ following year. At the April meeting, the trustees were 
ordered to pay him £20 of the town's loan money. In 
June, a committee composed of John Gray, Esq. H. 
Scamman, Capt. S. Jordan, Lieut. J. Stackpole, and J. 
i Davis, was chosen to wait on Mr. Moody, and know 
i whether he was willing to settle in the town. He decli- 
I ned the invitation, *'by reason he was too young and wan- 
ted further acquaintance of learning at some college." 
i Mr. Moody was a native of Newbury, and was subse- 
I quently, from 1730 to 1778, the minister of Newmarket, 
i N. H. On receiving his answer, the town appointed Mr. 
I Scamman "a messenger to treat immediately with some 
1 other minister to come and preach the word of God in 
; this town." Three months after, Sept. 2, 1729, a com- 
mittee was instructed to invite "the continuance of Mr. 
' WiLLARD to preach the gospel unto the inhabitants of this 
, town with the same salary that has been paid to other 
ministers." 

In January, the town voted to call Mr. Willard ; the 
invitation was renewed in May in the following terms : 
"Voted that Rev. Samuel Willard shall have (if he please 
to accept) the sum of £110 salary, the strangers' con- 
tribution, and the town to build him a parsonage house, 
together with the benefit and improvement of 100 acres 
of parsonage land, and to board himself during his minis- 
try. Voted that Capt. John Gray Esq., Capt. Samuel 
Jordan, and John Stackpole be chosen a committee to 

desire the Rev. Mr. Samuel Willard's answer." 

The answer of Mr. Willard was as follows : — ''Gentlemen — Three 
or four months ago you were pleased at a townmeeiing to invite me 
to settle amongst you as your pastor or minister, and lately at another 
townmeeting you ratified the said call, for which I have already, and 
do now return you my hearty thanks. And as I understand that the 
majority, and indeed a great majority of you, are desirous of my be- 
ing settled amongst you in the work of the ministry, so accordingly 
I accept your invitation upon the conditions following, or upon con- 
ditions equivalent with them ; First, that the house you build be a 
convenient commodious house, such as is suitable to a minister to 
live in, and of the same dimensions that most parsonage houses are. 
Secondly, that you will always repair the house whenever it stands 
in need of reparation at your own charge. Thirdly, that you will 
always maintain at your own charge the fence that maybe necessary 
to enclose the parsonage ground, both which are always done by the 
respective Parishes where such house and lands are. Fourthly ; that 
20 



226 HISTORY OF SACO 

you will grant me some tract of land or money to purchase it for my- 
self and assigns, to be wholly mine and theirs ; and I think also this 
is very reasonable for every minister is doubtless as desirous as any 
other man to leave something of his own in case he sees meet to 
change a single state for the other, to be possessed by his relict, or 
any heir, heirs or assigns. Fifthly : that you will not contract or 
lessen five pounds of my salary. This also I conceive to be reasona- 
ble, for you gave five pounds to me hitherto, and I suppose to the 
other candidates that were my predecessors, per annum, on purpose 
to find them an horse ; and now because I have bought an horse is it 
altogether consistent with equity to take away that sum ; for I sup- 
pose my horse will eat as much as [any] man's commonly speaking, 
and C(msequently he will stand in need of five pounds worth of keep- 
ing per annum as well as any other. Sixthly : That if God in his 
holy Providence should see good to exercise me with a continued 
sickness or pain, or loss of the free use of my reason and understand- 
ing so as to disable me from carrying on preaching and prayer in the 
house of God, I may notwithstanding have my support continued to 
me by you during my continuance in this tovvn in the pastoral office. 
This also seems to me very reasonable, for if I spend myself and am 
spent amongst you, ought I not to be considered in all circumstances. 
Thus, Gentlemen, you see the conditions of my acceptance of the in- 
vitation. Thus you see how affirmative my answer is. As I told 
you I desire nothing but what 1 and every impartial person would 
think reasonable : Agur's prayer, neither poverty nor riches, but 
food and raiment convenient for me. Hereupon I hope God al- 
mighty will succeed my labors amongst you, that both you and I may 
have joy and comfort here and hereafter together. I pray God that 
you all may be happj' in this world, but especially in the world to 
come. I am, Gentlemen, your sincere friend and humble servant, 

SAMUEL WILLARD." 

The proposals of Mr. Willard, "all and singular, were 
TOted in the affirmative" by the town. 

There is no record of a congregational Church being 
gathered in the town before this period ; but it is proba- 
ble that one existed under the ministry of Mr. Fletcher 
in the preceding century, as several of the inhabitants 
are known to have been members of churches. A short 
time previous to the ordination of Mr. Willard, the fol- 
lowing individuals associated themselves together for this 
purpose, and constituted the First Church in Biddeford : 
John Gray, Samuel Jordan, Humphry Scamman, Ebene- 
zer Hill, John Sharpe, Pendleton Fletcher, Benjamin 
Haley, Thomas Gilpatrick, Samuel Hinckley, Benjamin 
Hilton, John Tarr, Robert Whipple, Mark Shepherd. 
Messrs. Hill and Haley were chosen deacons. The fol- 
lowing record of their proceedings at that time, is the 
only one preserved. "Friday, Aug. 14, 1730, Mr. Ha- 
ley voted moderator by the brethren of the church. 1 . 



AND BIDDEFORD. 227 

riie ordination of Mr. Samuel Willard was voted to be 
the last Wednesday of September. 2. Voted to send to 
the churches of Falmouth, Scarborough, Wells, York, 
Berwick, and Weymouth. 3. Voted that Mr. Haley, 
Mr. Hill he. be the signers to the letters to these churches. 
4. Voted that the selectmen be desired to call a town- 
meeting for their concurrence." 

The following is an extract from a letter written by 
Mr. Willard at this time, to the lady whom he married 

shortly after, dated, 

"Biddeford, Saturday, August 15th, 1730. 
*'In my last Letter to you, I told you that they were quickly to 
have a Town Meeting here, to know whether the People would com- 
ply with the Terms tliat I offered them, and accordingly they did 
comply with them, one Person of the meeting only dissenting, two 
or three being neuter. And they did then appoint a Fast previous 
to my Ordination, which (Fast) was yesterday. The work of the 
day was carried on by Mr. Thompson and Mr. Jefferds,two neighbor- 
ing ministers. The Brethren who are to enter into a Church Socie- 
ty did yesterday appoint the day of my Ordination to be the last 
Wednesday of next Month. I intend the week after to be at Rut- 
land, when, I hope, to be happy with you. I exceedingly long to hear 
from you, especially since Col. Taylor has sent an Express down in- 
to these Parts to be careful of ourselves, because he says the Indians 
do appear in a threatening posture near Rutland. I pray God pre- 
Tent those bloody People from war with us ; and that he would pro- 
tect all our exposed Towns and all exposed Persons from their Bar- 
barities." 

The ordination of Mr. Willard accordingly took place 
on Wednesday^ Sept. 30, 1730, when a Council conven- 
ed, composed of Rev. Thomas Smith of Falmouth ; Rev. 
William Thompson of Scarboro' ; Rev. Samuel Jefferds 
of Wells ; Rev. Samuel Moody of York ; Rev. Jere- 
miah Wise of Berwick, and Rev. Thomas Paine, of 
Weymouth. The sermon was preached by Mr. Paine, who 
took for his text Acts xxvi. 17, 18. It was soon after 
printed at Boston.* The town voted to defray all the 

*Entilled "A Sermon Preached at the Gathering of the Church at 
Biddefov y and Ordaining the Rev. Mr. Samuel JVillurd, to the Pas- 
toral Office there. Sept. 30, 1730. With marginal notes &c. By 
Thomas Paine, M. A. Pastor of a Church in Weymouth, Boston : 
Printed for D. Henchman in Cornliil. MDCCXXXI." P3iges,fifty 
one. It was customary for candidates for the ministry to be present 
on these occasions. Mr. Paine addresses this class of his hearers in 
the following classical style : "Make it the Matter of your most fre- 
quent, deep and awful Kxamination, whether you are really prepared 
in the great Point, before you dare engage in that sacred Work . 
This is a most necessary Thing for you, as happy Ministers ; an I if 
you neglect it, the idolatrous Pagans will rise up in Judgment against 



228 HISTORY OF SAC0 

expenses of the ordination. The salary of Mr. Willard, 
at first £110 per annum, was afterwards increased by ad- 
ditions from year to year, until it amounted to £175. His' 
dwellinghouse was a few rods below where Mr. Domini- 
cus Gillpatrick now lives ; the cellar is still seen. The 
parsonage land was laid out there. In 1732, the town 
voted "that Mr. John Gordon prefer a petition in behalf 
of the inhabitants of the town to the Great and General 
Court of the Province of the Mass. Bay, that all the non- 
improved lands in propriety in the aforesaid township be 
taxed as they shall in their wisdom see meet for the ends 
that followeth : for building of our minister's house, and 
payment of the schoolmaster." The court granted a tax 
^f id. per acre for three years. 

A meeting house was built by the town a short time 
previous to the settlement of Mr. Willard. In 1719, the 
selectmen were empowered to agree with a master buil- 
der, and to exchange common lands for a lot owned by 
Mr. Benj. Haley, "for the meetinghouse and a burying 
place, and a sufficient high way to the ministerial lot." 
Haley's deed to the town, (recorded in the townbook,) 
describes the bounds of the land as "beginning at a spring 
of water known by the name of a dividing line between 
John and Peter Henderson," whose grants are noticed 
above, p. 187. The dimensions of the meetinghouse 
were to be 35 feet length by 30 feet breadth. The 



you, and condemn you ; for they believed and were careful to prac*- 
tise, that their Sacrifices might not be offered up by any who were 
not prepared for that Work. Thus Virgil brings in his JUneas fea- 
ring to meddle with the Household gods and sacrifices ; till he should 
purify himself for that Service ; and in the mean time putting it up- 
on his Father. 

Tu, Genitor, cape sacra Manu, Patriosque Penates; &c. says he. 
And that formal and very solemn Prohibition related by the Poet, in- 
structs us here, ^ 
Procul hinc, procul este Profani; 
Conclamat Vates, totoque absistite Luco. 
which though it be designed to warn all profane Persons from atten- 
ding, in common, on the Sacrifices; yet it argues most strongly when 
considered with Relation to such as minister." p. 45. Mr. Paine 
married a cousin of our minister, a daughter of Rev. S. Treat of 
Conn., whose lady was a daughter of Vice-president Willard. The 
late Hon. Robert Treat Paine, one of the signers of the Declaration 
of Independence, and a judge of the Supreme Court of Mass., was 
their son. 



AiSD iBIDDEFORD. ^2D 

building was not completed till a few years after, but was 
probably used during the ministry of Mr. Eveleth, as in 
1723 it was voted to place a pound near the meeting 
house. The burying ground was adjacent to it, on the' 
upper side, where the old graves are now seen unenclosed 
and otherwise neglected. The interior of the meeting 
house was mostly distributed into allotments for pews, 
which were sold to the highest bidder, and the proceeds 
appropriated towards the expense of the pulpit, the pub- 
lic seats in the body of the floor, and the stairs. The 
price of the allotments was voted, June, 1727, to be 
£10 each, but they were sold as follows : 1, The allot- 
ment from the men's door to the women's stairs, to H. 
Scamman for £ 18. 2. From the men's door to the men's 
stairs, to S. Jordan for £16. 3. The next to E. Hill, 
for £9. 4. The next to Justice Gray, for £7. The re- 
mainder for £7 each, to Capt. J. Sharpe, R. Edgecomb, 
Samuel Cole, P. Fletcher, and Lieut. J. Stackpole. A 
similar arrangement was made in the galleries ; Sept. 
1729, it was voted, "that if H. Pendexter pay to the 
town treasurer £6 down, he is granted to build a pew over 
the women's stairs, not to hinder any passing or conven- 
iences otherwise of seats in the galleries." A. Gordon, 
J. Stackpole jr. J. Brooks, and J. Smith (young men) 
were "granted the privilege of building a seat in the front 
gallery, leaving sufficient room for passing into the other 
seats." The master builder was Benj. Haley, afterwards 
deacon, a grandson of Thomas Haley, the old inhabi- 
tant, who was a son in law of John West. Deacon Haley 
lived at Marblehead during the Indian troubles ; he died 
of fever at Cape Breton, 1745. His descendants are 
numerous. 

During the ministry of Mr. Willard, a period of eleven 
years, the population of the town continued to receive 
accessions from abroad, and great tranquility prevailed. 
There was some alarm on account of the Indians 1736, 
but it passed away without serious consequences. The 
town suffered in common with the rest of the country 
fro m the ravages of an epidemic disease, a malignant 
throat distemper, not before known, which began at Kings- 
ton, N. H. in May. 1735, and extended from Pemaquid 
20* 



230 HISTORY OF SACO 

to Carolina, causing great mortality, especially among chil- 
dren. Mr. Smith, in his journal, under date 31 Octo. 
1735, says : "We had a fast on account of the sickness, 
which broke out at Kingston, and which is got as far as 
Cape Porpoise, and carries off a great many children and 
young persons, and alarms the whole country." The 
next year it prevailed at Scarboro', and proved almost 
universally fatal. Nov. 4, 1738, Mr. Smith writes : The 
throat distemper is still exceeding bad at Saco, We have 
no means of learning what number of persons died here, 
the records of Mr. Willard, if any were kept by him, 
having perished, and tradition being likewise silent on the 
subject. 

Complaints were made against the officers and soldiers 
of the Truckhouse for injuring the fisheries on the river. 
In 1732, the town "voted that Mr. John Gordon lay a 
memorial before his Excellency the Governor, and the 
Hon. Council, of the difficulties that the inhabitants and 
residents on Saco river sustain by those in the public pay 
of this Province by setting of nets and drifting with nets 
to the disturbing of the common course of the fish, and 
any other difficulties that are not for the honor of this 
Province." 

The law of the Province at that period, required every 
town containing "fifty householders or upwards, to be 
constantly provided with a school master to teach chil- 
dren and youth to read and write." The law was en- 
forced by a penalty of £20 for its neglect. In 1730, 
we find Mr. Stackpole appointed "a messenger to hire 
a schoolmaster, not exceeding £60. per annum." Mr. 
John Frost was then engaged. In 1735, the town voted 
to continue Mr. Isaac Townsend schoolmaster. The 
names of the instructers do not previously or afterwards 
occur in the records. 

As various minor offences were punished by putting 
the criminal in the stocks, every town was required 
to be furnished with them, under a penalty of £5. In 
1737, it was voted by the town to pay Capt. Jordan 40^. 
"for making the town stocks." 

A number of emigrants from the north of Ireland set-- 
tldd in town at this period. They were descendants of 



AND BIDDEFORD. 231 

a Scotch colony that, about one century before, removed 
to Ireland, and displaced the native inhabitants in particu- 
lar districts. In 1718, one hundred families of them 
landed at Boston, and twenty niore at Falmouth ; the 
former chiefly settled the town of Londonderry, N. H., 
the latter were dispersed into various parts of the coun- 
try. Others arrived from time to time in this quarter. 
They were accompanied by ministers of the Presbyteri- 
an church in several instances, to which religious sect 
they all belonged. In 1739, there was recorded in our 
townbook "the request of John Treworgy, Thomas Kill- 
patrick, Mathew Patten, Thomas Thompson, William 
Killpatrick, to set off those who call themselves Presby- 
terians from any further support to Rev. Mr. Willard ;" 
which the town refused to grant. The following persons, 
who dissented from the vote to increase Mr. Willard's 
salary, were probably of the same order ; Hector Patten, 
Robert Patterson, James McLellan, William Darling, 
Joseph Killpatrick, John Davis, Martin Jameson, Edward 
Rumery, Henry Pendexter, Jacob Davis, James Pratt, 
Abraham Townsend, R. Patterson jr. 

Thomas Gillpatrick, (as the name is now written,) emi- 
grated from the city of Colrain, a sea-port, and first set- 
tled in Wells, with a family of five sons and one daugh- 
ter. He shortly after removed to this town, where he 
died 1762, aged eighty eight years. He had in all nine 
sons, some of whom settled in Wells, and all hved to 
have families. 

Robert Patterson first came over alone, and remained 
a short time ; in 1729, he removed his family, and set- 
tled on Rendezvous point, where he purchased a farm out 
of the Gibbins estate. He had two sons and two daugh- 
ters. Mr. Patterson was a prominent and worthy towns- 
man ; he died 1769, at the great age of ninety seven years. 
His oldest son, John, died 1779, aged seventy ; Robert 
1797, aged eighty four. One of the daughters was un- 
fortunately drowned while young; the other was married 
to James McLellan, and died 1802, aged ninety two. Mr. 
McLellan accompanied the Patterson family to this town. 
He owned the place now occupied by Capt. Marshall, 
and died 1785, aged seventy three. Robert Patter- 



232 HISTORY OF SACO 

son jr. purchased five shares, each consisting of 375 acreSjj 
in the town of Belfast, Me., four of which he gave to 
his sons Robert, William, Nathaniel, and James, who as*i 
sisted in the first settlement of that town about 1770J 
They all lived to an advanced age, and have numerous: 
descendants in Belfast. 

The ministry of Mr.Willard was terminated by hisdeaih^i 
which occurred very suddenly at Eliot, then a parish of 
Kittery, Octo. 1741. While engaged in delivering a dis- 
course at that place, he was attacked with a disorder in 
his throat, and having succeeded with some difficulty in 
concluding the exercises of the meeting, he returned to 
the house of Rev. Mr. Rogers, the minister of that pa- 
rish, where he died two days after. The following no- 
tice of this afflictive event was published in the Boston 
Gazette of Nov. 3, 1741 : | 

"Kittery, Octo. 26, 1741. 
On the last Lord's Day, about two of the clock in the afternoon, j 
died the Rev Mr. Samuel WiUard, Pastor of the Church in Bidde^i 
f or d, a.nd on this day was decently interred at Kittery; to which i 
Place he came on Friday last, to preach an Evening Lecture for the) 
Rev- Mr. Rogers. He was a Grandson of the Reverend and Lear- 
ned Mr. Samuel Willard, some time Pastor of the Old South Church i 
in Boston, and Vice President of Harvard College. He was a Gen- 
tleman of a graceful Aspect, a sweet natural Temper, of good natu- 
ral Powers and Measure of acquired Learning, in all, sanctify'd by 
the blessed Spirit ; which abundantly qualified and prepared him for 
the Service of the Sanctuary. The glorious Head of the Church 
who so richly furnished him and employed hiui in this Service, has 
greatly improved and remarkably honoured him, as an Instrument of 
the late surprising Work of convincing and converting a great num- 
ber of Souls in York and the adjacent Towns. And having finished 
this his glorious Work which his Master gave him to do, he died with 
an holy Sedateness and Composednessof Soul, and is gone to receive 
the Blessedness of a faithful and wise Steward to his Household 
here, in his immediate Presence, where there is Fulness of joy for- 
ever. The Day of his Interment the Rev. Mr. Rogers entertained a 
vast Auditory, in which were many of the People of Biddeford, who 
greatly lamented him; and did him Honour at his Death; with a 
Tery acceptable Discourse on Luke, xii. 43, 44." 

Mr. Willard was a great-grandson of Maj. Simon 
Willard who was one of the earliest settlers of Concord^ 
Mass. 1635, and for the succeeding forty years is well 
known in the annals of the Colony. Samuel, a son of 
Maj. Willard, born at Concord 1740, was among the 
most eminent divines in New England ; the minister oi 



AND BIDDEFORD. - 233 

Groton, afterwards of the Old South church in Boston, 
and acting president of Harvard Coll. for several years. 
His son John, father of our minister, took a collegiate 
degree 1690, and settled as a merchant at Kingston, 
Jamaica, W. I., w^here Samuel was born 1705. The lat- 
ter was early sent to Boston to be educated under the 
care of his uncle, Josiah Willard, secretary of the Colo- 
ny, and graduated at Har. Coll. 1723 ; when he retur- 
ned to Kingston with the intention of fixing his residence 
on the island. But he was so much shocked by the 
licentiousness and irreligion which prevailed there, that 
he came back to New England, and soon after commen- 
ced the study of divinity. Directly on his settlement at 
this place he married Abigail, daughter of Mr. Samuel 
Wright, of Rutland, Mass., previously of Sudbury. Their 
children were the following : Samuel, who died in child- 
hood ; John, b. 28 Jan. 1733 ; William, b. Dec. 1734 ; 
Abigail, died in infancy ; Joseph, b. 29 Dec. 1738 ; and 
Eunice, b. 1741. On the death of Mr. Willard, the town 
voted £20 to his widow, to purchase a mourning dress, 
and £15 for a further donation. She was again married, 
Nov. 13, 1744, to Rev. Richard Elvins, minister of the 
second parish in Scarboro', who proved an excellent fa- 
ther to her promising children, yet of a tender age. 

John, the oldest son, was placed under the care of Sec- 
retary Willard of Boston, who sent him to College ; he 
graduated 1751, and became the minister of Stafford, 
Conn., where he died 1807. He received the degree of 
D. D. William learned a trade at Lancaster, and settled 
in Petersham, where he was a deacon of the church, and 
lived to a good old age. Joseph, who was not three years 
old when his father died, continued in his mother's family 
at Scarboro' for several years. While young, he inten- 
ded to follow the sea, and even went one or two short 
voyages ; but the last, a trip to Halifax, was attended 
with so much fatigue and danger, that he relinquished the 
design. The master of the vessel was pleased with his 
activity, and remarked to his mother, that it was owing to 
the exertions of Joseph, and his great firmness of mind,, 
that the vessel was saved. After this he turned his at- 
tention to study under the direction of Mr. Elvins, who 



234 HISTORY OF SACO 

took great pleasure in instructing him. So well convin^- 
ced was the latter that Joseph possessed talents of a high 
order, that he applied to the celebrated Mr. Moody, of 
Dummer Academy, to take him under his care ; by whom 
he was prepared for college within the short time of eleven 
months. He graduated at Harvard 1765. Of his future 
eminence, as a divine, and as the President of the Uni- 
versity, it is unnecessary for us to speak. He died Sept. 
25, 1804. Eunice, the youngest child of our minister, 
married Rev. Benjamin Chad wick, the successor of Mr. 
Elvins in the second parish of Scarboro'. This excel- 
lent lady has recently died at Scarboro', Feb. 11, 1830. ] 
Two years after the death of Mr. Willard a small vol- 
ume was published at Boston, containing a sermon preach- 
ed by him only a few weeks before his decease, at the 
ordination of Rev. John Hovey in Arundel ; and a funeral 
discourse, "occasioned by the much lamented death of 
Rev. Mr. Willard,'* delivered at Biddeford by Rev. VVm, 
Thompson of Scarboro'; to which is prefixed a sketch 
of his character by Rev. Thomas Prentice, of Charles- 
town. The latter says : *'Mr. Willard and I went to the 
eastward, and were settled in the ministry there about 
the same time, and in next neighbour towns [the writer 
at Arundel] : soon after which we contracted a most inti- 
mate friendship, which continued without interruption to 
his death ; and a most agreeable and most faithful friend 
I ever found him. He was a man of good natural pow- 
ers, and for his years and advantages, had made very con- 
siderable improvement in useful knowledge, especially in 
divinity, which, as it was his profession, so was it his 
favorite study, and which he himself frequently declared, 
was of all others the most delightful to him. ^ * * He was 
a man of eminent piety, and a close walk with God, in 
his more retired life ; as I had opportunity to observe by 
being much with him and often at his house. In his 
family he was very exemplary, not only for his kind and 
compassionate behaviour (which was extraordinary,) but 
also for the great fervor of devotion with which he was 
wont there to perform the exercises of piety and religion. 
* * * In his ministry he was diligent and faithful. He 
took much pains in his pastoral visits, in praying with, and 



AND BIDDEFORD. 235 

instructing his people, in a private way. And in his pub- 
lic performances he was very serious and solemn, very 
earnest and importunate, both witli God and men. But 
this excellent servant of Christ lived for several years 
much unobserved. His excessive modesty, with some 
difficulty in his worldly circumstances, concealed him 
much from public view. * * * And as his life was very 
useful, so *tis thought his death was the means of much 
good to many souls : For not only were many in other 
towns much affected with it, but also the people of his 
own charge were wonderfully moved with the tidings of 
it ; and from that time, as I am informed, there began a 
reformation among them, which hath since been as re- 
markable perhaps, as in any other town in the Province, 
of the bigness of it : So that a gentleman in that part of 
the country observed to me, that Mr. Willard, like Sam- 
son, slew more, meaning as to their carnal confidences, 
at his death than in his life."* 

During the short ministry of Mr. Willard, the Church 
was in a flourishing condition. Beside those whose 
names have been mentioned as the original members, sixty 
three persons were admitted to full communion, viz. 24 
males, and 39 females. The names of the former are 
the following ; Samuel Scamman, Nathan Whitney, Rob- 
ert Edgeromb, Rishworth Jordan, Benjamin Hill, John 
Smith, John Smith, Andrew Stackpole, Abiel Hill, Dan- 
iel Smith, Benj. Nichols, John Treworgy, James Clarke, 
Samuel Scamman jr. Wyat Moore, Moses Wadlin,Thos. 
Emery, Nathaniel Whitney, jr., John Stackpole jr., John 
Murch, Joseph Gordon, Edward Chapman, Magnus Rid- 
lon, Ephraim Stimpson. 



*The grave of Mr. Willard is in a field near the meetinghouse in 
Eliot, as tradition reports, but without the simplest monument to tell 
the precise spot where 'the good man' lies. 



236 HISTORY OF SACO 



CHAPTER IV. 



The pulpit was supplied, after the death of Mr. Wil- 
lard, by Rev. Woodbridge Odlin of Exeter, and Nicholas 
Hodge of Newbury, until April 1742. A committee, 
(composed of Capt. J. Gray, Capt. S. Jordan, and Dea- 
con Hill,) being then appointed to obtain a minister, en- 
gaged Mr. Moses Morrill, a candidate for settlement.. 
This gentleman was a native of Salisbury, Mass. and 
graduated at Harvard College 1737, at the early age oft 
fifteen years. Notwithstanding his extreme youth, the;; 
town in June, gave him an invitation "to settle amongst 
them in the work of the gospel ministry," offering a sal- 
ary of £200, old tenor* the avails of the contribution, and 
a parsonage. The committee to communicate these terms 
were, B. Haley, P. Fletcher, J. Davis, A. Townsend, 
Jas. Clarke, Thos. Emery, and R. Brooks. Some modi- 
fication of them was afterwards made, when, August 9,, 
Mr. Morrill signified his acceptance of the invitation. 
On the same day, the Church voted to receive him as 
their pastor. The ordination took place Sept. 29, 1742 ; 
there is no record of the churches that assisted on the 
occasion. Capt. Gray was subsequently allowed £6 135. 
old tenor, "for entertaining the messengers and scholars 
at the ordination of Rev. Mr. Morrill." The town pur- 
chased the house and land of Mr. Henry Pendexter for 
a parsonage ; the land extended back a mile and a half 
from the river. The house stood about one mile above 
the present lower meetinghouse, and nearly the same dis- 
tance below the Falls. 

Dr. Watts's Hymns were introduced into town at thi 
time, to be used on particular occasions ; the church vo 
ted, a few years after the ordination, that they "should be 
sung at the sacrament, in conjunction with the Psalms of 
David, at the discretion of the Pastor." Simon Wingate 
was chosen deacon 1745, in place of Deac. Haley, de- 
ceased. In 1749, Samuel Scamman jr. was chosen in 



*45s. or £2 5s. old tenor, were equivalent to one dollar. A copF 
per was worth 5d. 



AND BIBDEFORD. 23t 

•place of Deac. Hill, but declined the office, when Moses 
Wadlin was chosen and accepted. In 1754, John Stack- 
pole jr. was chosen in place of Deac. Wadlin. The 
same year, the church appointed a committee "to take 
care of Mr. Baxter's Practical Works, given to the church 
by the Hon, Samuel Holden, Esq. of London." This 
gentleman was a wealthy English dissenter, well known 
for his charities in New England. He sent over to Dr. 
Colman of Boston, thirty nine sets of Baxter's Works, 
each set consisting of four massive folio volumes, to be 
distributed among the churches. It was his direction that 
one volume be kept in or near the house of worship, for 
the use of the people on the sabbath ; and that the others 
be lent to the inhabitants of the town, and to neighbor- 
ing ministers.* A further innovation was made in regard 
to the singing on religious occasions, March 23, 1765, 
when the following vote was passed : "The Church met 
after Lecture, and voted that Dr. Watts's Sacramental 
Hymns should be sung for the future at the Sacrament of 
the Lord's Supper, and that his version of the Psalms be 
sung at Lecture." 

About the time of Mr. Morrill's setdement, there was 
a great religious excitement throughout New England, 
occasionedfcby the preaching of the celebrated White- 
field, many clergymen favoring, and others opposing, the 
somewhat irregular effects produced by it. Mr. Morrill 
was of the former class. Whitefield came into this 
quarter towards the close of 1744; we hear of him 
in Biddeford early the following year. In March, he 
preached several times for Mr. Morrill, and in the neigh- 
boring towns. It appears from the Journal of Mr. Smith, 
that there was much opposition to him by a considerable 
portion of the people. 

The winter succeeding the settlement of Mr. Morrill, 
Dec. 20, 1742, died Capt. Samuel Jordan, aged fifty 
eight years. No other individual, probably, had done 
more to promote the growth and prosperity of the town, 
than Capt. Jordan. He appears to have been a man of 
great enterprise, and was extensively engaged in business 



*Allen. Biog. Diet. Art. Holden. Allen. Hist. Chelmsford. 45. 
21 



238 HISTORY OF SACO 

for many years. He had a store near his house at the 
Pool, to which the inhabitants far and wide were in the 
habit of resorting for their supplies. His house was 
more strongly fortified and secured against the Indians 
than any other in town, being encompassed by a stone 
wall of great solidity, the remains of which are still seen. 
In time of peace, the Indians were often there, and on 
one occasion they silently crept into the house in the night 
with hostile intentions, but the Captain coolly giving no- 
tice of their presence to a person in a remote part of the 
house, directing him where to find a gun, was soon rid of 
the troublesome, but cowardly visiters. While a young 
man he had fallen into the hands of the enemy, and was 
detained in captivity several years. At the conference of 
Gov. Shute with the tribes on Arrowsick, 1717, Captain 
Jordan was employed as interpreter. The Indians reques- 
ted "that in future Interpreter Jordan might be near them 
to represent to the Governor any thing that might hap- 
pen," to which the governor replied, that he desired no 
better man.* 

Capt. Jordan married Olive Plaisted of Berwick ; their 
children, born 1719-33, were, Rish worth, Olive, Sarah,' 
Hannah, Samuel, Tristram, and Mary. Olive married 
Rev. Ivory Hovey, 1739, who was ordainet^ at Roches- 
ter, Mass. the following year. He obtained a dismission 
from that place 1765, and was soon after installed over a 
parish in Plymouth, where he continued to preach until a 
few days before his death, 4 Nov. 1803. His wife sur- 
vived him a few months. Mr. Hovey preached sixty 
five years, and during that time kept a religious journal, 
which, at the time of his death, contained about seven 
thousand octavo pages in short hand.f Sarah, second 
daughter of Capt. Jordan, married Rev. Samuel Hill, 
1739, a classmate of Mr. Hovey, and settled at Marsh- 
field, near Plymouth. In 1752, Mr. Hill's connexion 
with the church at that place was dissolved, and he, witht 



*Tbe official account of this Conference is reprinted. N. H Hist, i 
Coll. ii. 254. The circumstances related by Sullivan, p. 227,occurred 
at Cape Elizabeth, where Uominicus resided. 

tSee an interesting memoir of IVIr. Hovey, Alden. Coll. Epitaphs. 
i.23^. Mass. Missionary Magazine iii. 20. He graduated at Har- 
va'rd College 1735. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 



239 



his wife, was received into the church in this town. He 
resided sometime in the house of his late father in law, 
and was chosen representative of the town 1754. His 
wife died 1756, and, two years after, he married Eliza- 
beth Shapleigh of Kittery. Hannah, third daughter of 
Capt. Jordan, was married to Rev. Moses Morrill, 1 Dec. 
1743. Mary, the youngest daughter, was married to 
Capt. Philip Goldthwait of Boston, about 1758. Capt. 
G. removed to Winter Harbor, where he resided until the 
Revolutionary war, when he left the country. His wife 
lived but a short time after their marriage. Mrs. Ojive, 
the widow of Capt. Jordan, was married to Rev. Thomas 
Smith of Falmouth, 1744; she died 3 Jan. 1763. 

Deacon Ebenezer Hill died 1748, aged 69 years. His 
children were, Ebenezer, Dorothy, Susanna, Benjamin, 
Lydia, Joshua, and Jeremiah. Susanna was married to 
Thomas Emery,^173I ; Lydia to deacon Simon VVingate, 
1736. Jeremiah married Mary, daughter of Capt. Dan- 
iel Smith, 1746 ; the late Jeremiah Hill, Esq. was their 
oldest son. Jere. Hill, sen. held a commission of justice 
of the peace, and was several years representative of the 
town in the Gen. Court; he died Aug. 12, 1779, aged 
fifty six. 

John Gray, Es<:j. the commander of Fort Mary 1720, 
married soon after he came to Winter Harbor, Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Tarbox ; their children were three daughters, Eliza- 
beth, Mary, and Olive. Elizabeth was married to Eze- 
kiel Cushing, Esq. of Falmouth, 1745 ; Olive to Nathan 
Woodman, Esq. of Newbury, afterwards of Buxton, 1749; 
Mary to James Staples of Biddeford, 1755. The late 
Abner Sawyer, sen. married Mary, a daughter of James 
and Mary Staples, 1779. Capt. Gray was "a son of 
Joseph Gray, citizen and Salter of London, by occupa- 
tion a linen draper in that city," according to a memo- 
randum recorded in the town book ; he died 1755. 

Pendleton Fletcher, "being nearly past labor," convey- 
ed his property to his sons, 1746 ; their names were, 
John, Joseph, Brian, Pendleton, Setb, and Samuel. His 
son Pendleton died on the Neck, 17 April, 1807, in the 
one hundredth year of his age. Mr. Fletcher sold J of 



240 HISTORY OF SACO 

the Neck, of Wood island, he. for £1400, lawful, to 
Batchelor Hussey of Sherburne, Nantucket, 1737. Mr. 
Hussey was of the society of Friends ; he was a descen- 
dant of Christopher Hussey, who came to New England 
from the town of Dorking, near London, 1634, and set- 
tled at Lynn, Mass. Christopher married Theodata, 
daughter of Rev. Stephen Batchelor, and left two sons, 
Stephen and John, the former of whom lived at Nan- 
tucket, where he died 1718, aged eighty eight. Batches 
lor Hussey, the year after his purchase, 1738, built the 
house on Fletcher's Neck, now occupied by his grandson, 
friend Christopher. 

Capt. Daniel Smith was among the earliest settlers in 
the town the last century. He came from Exeter, and 
married after his removal, 1719, Rebecca Emery, by 
whom he had ten children. He died about 1750. His 
widow married Mr. Nathaniel Ladd 1755, an officer of 
the English army, who settled in town after his marriage, 
and continued the public house kept by Capt. Smith, 
Lieut. Ladd is said to have been a native of Exeter, N. 
H. ; he died 1776. Madam Ladd (as she was styled) 
survived her second husband ten years, and died at the 
age of eighty eight, having had 144 descendants, inclu- 
ding four great great grand children. Her daughter Re- 
becca married Dominicus Scamman, second son of Capt. 
Humphry, the partner of Pepperell and Weare, 174L 
Lydia, another daughter, married Benjamin Hooper, 
Esq. 1744; Mary, third daughter, married J. Hill, as 
already stated. 

Samuel Scamman while living at Kittery, about 1712, 
married Margery Deering ; their children were three 
sons, Samuel, John, and Ebenezer. Mr. Scamman lived 
on the eastern side of the river, half a mile above the 
lower ferry, (opposite Ephraim Ridlon,) but after the 
death of his wife, (1740, at the age of 5],) he resided 
with his son Samuel, who built a house with a garrison a- 
bout that time where Mr. Stephen Sawyer now lives. 
There was no house above for many years. The other 
sons occupied the old homestead. Mr. Scamman died 
1752, aged fifty eight ; his son Samuel six years after, 
aged forty five. The latter married Mehitable Hinkley 



AND BIDDEFORD. 241 

of New Meadows (Brunswick) 1736 ;* their children 
were, Samuel, (late deacon,) Isaac, Freeman, Mary, 
Elizabeth, Mehitable, Sarah, and Rachel. The widow 
of Mr. John Scamman married a second husband, and 
removed with her children, one son, Daniel, and two 
daughters, to Mount Desert, where their descendants are 
now found. 

On the declaration of war by the English government 
against France, 31 March, 1744, the news of which 
reached our inhabitants May 19, defensive preparations 
began instantly to be made throughout the eastern towns, 
the savages being still regarded as under the influence of 
the French. Sunday, May 20, the people of Falmouth 
and North Yarmouth, as it appears from the Journal of 
Mr. Smith, were at work upon their garrisons, and many 
even feared to attend meeting. "All the talk and 
thoughts," he writes a few days after, "are about war. 
People are every where garrisoning." A slight shock of 
an earthquake was felt June 3, which added to the ter- 
ror and alarm already excited. A public fast was obser- 
ved on Thursday, 28 June, "on account of the war and 
the earthquake." The military peace establishment of 
Mass. consisted at that time of 114 men, of whom forty 
eight were stationed in the county of York, viz. at Rich- 
mond Fort, on the Kennebec, 10 ; at Brunswick Fort 
6 ; at Pemaquid Fort 6 ; at St. Georges (near Penob- 
scot bay) 13; and at the truckhouse on Saco river 13. 
Five hundred men were immediately impressed into the 
service, three hundred of whom were sent to the east- 
ward. The truckhouse was reinforced by twenty of the 
number, and the remainder were distributed into other 
parts of the county. The *fencible men,' or militia, of 
Maine, consisted of two regiments, containing 3105 men, 
one of which, commanded by Col. Pepperell, afterwards 
Sir William, was formed by the western towns in the fol- 
lowing proportion : Kittery 450, York 350, Arundel 95, 

*The Hinkleys were from the old Colonj'^ of Plymouth, (tradition) 
where Thomas Hinkley was an Assistant or Counsellor, 1658, and af- 
ter. Two brothers of Mrs. Scamman were slain by the Indians at 
New Meadows, one of them 1747. Smtth's Journal. 40. JV.E.Me-- 
morial. 

21* 



142 HISTORY OF SACO 

Biddeford 120, Berwick 150, Phillipston (Sandford) 150. 
The other, under the command of Col. Samuel Waldo 
of Fahnouth, was formed as follows : Scarboro' 160, 
Falmouth 500, North Yarmouth 150, Brunswick 50,, 
Sagadehock, (Georgetown, &ic.) 370, New Marblehead 
(Windham,) 40, Narraganset, No. 1. (Buxton) 20.* 

In July, Commissioners were sent to treat with the ^ 
Penobscot Indians, who obtained from them a solemn 
promise that they would remain at peace. So great con- 
fidence was reposed in their sincerity, that before winter 
all the forces sent into the county, were dismissed, ex- 
cepting one travelling company, in which were enlisted 
three Saco Indians, whose families, says Mr. Smith, were 
settled at Stroudwater, and provided for by government. 
The year closed without realizing the fears of the inhabi- 
tants. 

Beside repairing the old garrisons in town, the inhabi- 
tants erected several new ones at this time. In August, 
the town voted "to build a frame garrison about the par- 
sonage house with what was granted by the Province, to i 
be sixty feet square, and to plank it up with two inch: 
plank, and to build two flankers, the one of fifteen, the 
other ten feet square." At Winter Harbor, near the sea*- 
shore, four houses, situated on a square, were strongly 
garrisoned, and occupied by a number of families. P. i 
Fortune now lives at the place. An old lady, a daughter 
of deacon Stackpole, has informed us that her father re^ 
moved to this garrison at the period in question. The 
public house of Capt. D. Smith, was secured by a brick 
wall on the inside, with flankers at each end. On the 
eastern side, there was the garrison on Fort hill (where Mr. 
King's store is,) which was large enough to accommodate 
several families ; Mr. Gray's house was also garrisoned, 
and the house of Magnus Ridlon on Rendezvous point, 
where Capt. Sharp had lived. f 

^The Government of Mass. Bay rewarded the forces engaged in 
the destruction of the Narraganset Indians 1C75-6, by a donation of 
aeven townships, which were allotted among the survivors and the 
heirs of the deceased soldiers, nearly fifty years after the war Two 
of the townships were in Maine, Nos. 1 and 7, now Buxton and Gor- 
hana. The others were located in Mass and N. Hampshire. 

*The name Rendezvous was early applied to the Point, from the 



AND BIDDEFORD. 243 

Early in 1745, the celebrated expedition against Cape 
Breton, under the command of Pepperell, with the com- 
mission of Lieut. General, took place. The following 
persons are all of our inhabitants engaged in it, whose 
names are remembered : Dea. Benj. Haley, Benj. Scam- 
man, Nath. Scamman, Andrew Stackpole, Roger Smiths- 
Jonathan Smith, Haven Tarbox, Benj. Mason. 

The same year, July 19, Capt. Thomas Bradbury, 
who commanded the truckhouse, or blockhouse, as it was 
now termed, sent an express to Falmouth, "advising," 
says Mr. Smith, "of the Indians breaking out and killing 
a man and forty cattle, and burning a garrison and sawmill." 
The next month the government declared war against the 
Indians. Before the close of the year, several lives were 
lost, and other ravages committed in the new settlements 
below Falmouth. Many volunteer parties went in pur- 
suit of the enemy, receiving from government a bounty 
of £400 for the scalp of an Indian. 

In the summer of 1746, a scout of the enemy prowl- 
ed around the settlements in the neighborhood of Fal- 
mouth and of this town. On the morning of Sept. 6, 
two young men, sons of Mr. Joseph Gordon, named Pike 
and Joseph, were surprised by them while on the way from 
their father's house, (near where Benjamin Gordon now 
lives,) to the Falls. They were en j ployed in the Cole 
mill, and left home between daylight and sunrise to go to 
their work ; as ihey were passing a blacksmith's shop, 
which stood a few rods below the house of Capt. James 
Murch, the Indians rushed from behind it into the road ; 
the young men turned and ran. Joseph, who was very 
swift of foot, was likely to escape, and called out to his 
brother to quicken liis pace, when the savages fearing 
they should lose bim, fired and killed him on the spot. 
Pike was taken by a part of the scout who lay conceal- 
ed further down the road, and was carried to Canada. 
The Indians retreated at first into a swamp not far from 



circumstance that it was a favorite resort of the Indians at particular 
seasons of the year. There was a garrison on it 1690, as it. appears 
by the followin^r extract fro'.> an account, of the soldiers stationed in 
the towns at t.lia*. 'fi.!!.^ ; "Saco, alias Randiv. ul^ garrison, Philip Fox- 
well captain, six soldiers." Mass. Files. Gommunicated by J. Coffin. 



244 HISTORY OF SACO 

the road, taking with them the body of Joseph, where, 
it is said, they secreted themselves all the day, notwith- 
standing the inhabitants turned out, and made a diligent 
search for the young men. Capt. Bradbury received the 
alarm, and came down from the blockhouse with part of 
his men. Seven weeks after, the remains of the young man 
were found, and conveyed the first certain information of 
his melancholy fate to the afflicted family. A letter was 
afterwards received from Pike at Quebec, giving an ac- 
count of his capture ; he died in that city the same win- 
ter, Dec. 6. It is related that young Gordon enforced 
the respect of the savages, on the route to Canada, by 
his fearless deportment. There were other prisoners in 
the party, all of whom the Indians treated with great in- 
dignity as well as cruelty. Their food was generally in- 
lerior to that of their masters, as they were not allowed 
to eat with them. It was on an occasion of this sort that 
Gordon discovered a resolution which surprised them ; 
having killed a wild animal, they reserved for their own 
use the parts suitable for food, and threw the remainder 
to the prisoners. Pike, not relishing this treatment, made 
his way unbidden into their circle, and with his knife 
carved off a piece of the meat, which he ate. The sava- 
ges were amazed, and cast on the rash intruder fierce 
and threatening looks ; but he, wholly unmoved, contin- 
ued to help himself with great coolness and determina- 
tion. Resentment was soon changed to admiration of a 
courage so unusual among their captives,and Pike thence- 
forth was admitted to their mess.* 



*A sort of monody on the death of these youths was composed, 
it is said, by a young woman to whom Joseph was eng^affed to be 
married. The verses are somewhat in the simple, unpolished style 
of the Bay Psalm Pook, which was, perhaps, the model of the fair 
writer. We give a part, not having room for the whole. 

"The sixth day of September, 

a mighty blast there fell, 
Upon the town of Biddeford, 

as is known ver}' well. 
There was two promising likely youths 

most quickly snatched away, 



AND BIDDEFORD. 245 

The next year, the savages were quiet until April 13, 
when they appeared in Scarboro', and Nathaniel Dres- 
ser, a young man, was killed. While at work in a field 
at some distance from the garrison on Scottow's hill, 
young Dresser discovered an Indian approaching, and 
fled for the garrison. It is doubted whether the Indian 
at first intended to kill him, but finding that he outstrip- 
As they were walking in the street ; 

how soon they're took away ! 
One of them presently was slain, 

the other to the woods 
Was by those heathen led away, 

but where none understood. 
A poor desolate captive soul, 

he's led in the wilderness 
With leanness sent into his soul, 

by hunger and thirstiness. 
It is the hand of God ! and we 

acknowledge it had need. 
Lest any murmuring thought 

out of our hearts proceed. 
Altho your hopeful son is dead 

yet he's but laid to sleep, 
I trust he'll rise at the great day 

most holy and most sweet. 
Though seven weeks upon the ground 

liis body it did lie, 
He's nothing worse at all for that 

if he's in heaven on high. 
There's few young men were like to him, 

who shunn'd all sinfulness, 
For he in time did serve the Lord, 

with fear and reverence. 
No songs nor dances nor no plays, 

that ever he did mind, 
His heart was set on things above 

to which he was inclin'd. 
The sabbath day he did not brezik 

as many others do, 
But in the fear of God did walk, 

and in his law did go. 
Oh blest is every youthful one, 

that doth his footsteps take !" Sec 



246 HISTORY OF SACO 

pec] himself in running, he rested his gun against the cor- 
ner of a barn, and shot him within a few yards of the 
garrison. The leaps of this young man in his flight are 
said to have measured twelve feet.* 

A few days after, 17 April, Mr. Nathaniel Eliot and 
his son who lived at the Falls, on the western side of the 
river, were attacked in a field a short distance below the 
present lower meetinghouse in Biddeford. Mr. William 
Murch dwelt at that time nearly where his grandson, Capt. 
Wm. Murch's house now stands, on the road leading to 
Kennebunk-port, which was not then laid out ; there was, 
however, a private way from the Pool road to Murch's 
house. The Eliots were returning on this path with a load 
of hay, which they had obtained of Murch, when the In- 
dians fired upon them and instantly killed the old man. 
The son, it is said, might have escaped, but exasperated 
by the fall of his father, he levelled and discharged his 
gun at the enemy, and then took to flight ; he had not 
run far when another fire brought him to the ground. The 
bodies of the unfortunate persons were afterwards found 
on the spot where they fell, and decently buried. The 
savages proceeded to Murch's, and took him prisoner, 
near his barn, when they decamped without committing 
any further injury. They carried Mr. Murch to Canada 
by the route of the White Hills, whence he returned the 
following season. So bent on mischief were these In- 
dians, that they cut out the tongues of Murch's cattle. A 
daughter of the late deacon Wingate relates, that Mr. 
Morrill, and his brother in law, Rev. S. Hill, were riding 
that day towards the lower part of the town, when they 
heard the guns and soon after discovered the Indians at a 
distance. Putting spurs to their horses, they barely es- 
caped to the parsonage house, which was well secured 
against an assault. Our informant (who was then five 
or six years of age) recollects that her father came hastily 
into the house, exclaiming. There must he mischief done, 
for Parson Morrill is running his horse ! The same 
day the deacon removed his family to the garrison of 
deacon Hill, which was protected by a high stockade with 



*Rev. Mr. Tilton, MS. notes. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 24T 

flankers. A watch was kept in the flankers to prevent 
a surprise. The inhabitants placed much reliance in the 
sagacity of dogs for discovering the enemy ; and were 
often put on their guard by this faithful animal. 

Capt. John Davis was ordered by government to re- 
cruit forces in the town for its defence, and enlisted a 
number of the inhabitants ; whereupon a petition was 
forwarded to the Gen. Court, praying "that the inhabitants 
might be dismissed from the service, and the like num- 
ber of impressed soldiers be sent in their room." Da- 
vis resented the interference of the petitioners, accusing 
them of forming a 'plot or conspiracy' against himself, as 
the petition was sent without his knowledge ; but they 
contended that the enlistment of inhabitants was injurious 
to the town, and that the object of the petition was sim- 
ply to remove the evil. 

Peace took place in Europe 1748, and the year fol- 
lowing a ti'eaty was made with the Indians at Falmouth, 
w^hen they engaged "to cease and forbear all acts of hos- 
tility towards all the subjects of the crown of Great Bri- 
tain." The commissioners on the part of the govern- 
ment, (appointed by Lieut. Gov. Spencer Phips, in the 
absence of Gov. Shirley, who had gone to England,) 
were, Thomas Hutchinson, John Choate, Israel Williams, 
and James Otis. On the part of the Indians, the treaty 
was signed and sealed by six representatives of the An- 
asaguntacooks and Wewenocks, eight of the Norridge- 
wocks, and five of the Penobscots. The former tribes 
inhabited about the waters of the Androscoggin and 
Sheepscot. 

The town never afterwards suffered from the depreda- 
tions of the Indians, altho' hardly one year elapsed before 
the more eastern settlements were again invaded by the 
treacherous enemy. In the subsequent war with France, 
from 1756 to 1763, which resulted in the overthrow of 
French power and influence in America, the Penobscots 
alone refused to join their ancient allies ; the other tribes, 
leagued with the Canadian Indians, continued to harrass 
the frontier towns. The island of Cape Breton, which 
was restored to France 1749, again yielded to the Eng- 
lish arms 1758. Great rejoicings throughout the Pro- 



248 HISTORY OF SACO 

vince followed the news of this triumph. Some of our 
inhabitants illuminated their houses on the occasion. The 
next year Quebec was taken, and in 1760 the English 
were masters of all Canada. Indian hostilities finally 
ceased in New England with the reduction of the French 
provinces ; and the settlements in Maine, whose advance 
in wealth and population had been so materially impeded 
by the long series of desolating wars, began from this 
date to enjoy a good degree of prosperity. In 1750 they 
contained only 10,000 inhabitants; and ten years later 
the number was probably rather diminished than increa- 
sed ; in 1790, the population was 96,540. 

Capt. Bradbury, the commander of the blockhouse 
during the war, removed to Biddeford after its termina- 
tion, having purchased a tract of land above the Falls, of 
which the estate of Mr. Dominicus Cutts now forms a 
part. He built a house, with a garrison, at that place, and 
a sawmill on the brook, but removed a few years after to 
Buxton. Mr. Jacob Bradbury, his brother, settled in 
Biddeford about the same time ; they came from Salis- 
bury, Mass. Mr. Chrisp Bradbury, who was of a differ- 
ent branch of the same family, settled in York, removed 
to this town as early as 1740. Capt. Jonathan Bean of 
York, (a son of Capt. Lewis Bean, before noticed,) suc- 
ceeded Bradbury in the command of the blockhouse ; 
his son likewise was lieutenant of the company stationed 
there. The establishment continued to be kept up until 
1759, when the soldiers were disbanded, and the can- 
non, of which there were several small pieces, were 
transferred to Castle William in Boston harbor. The 
blockhouse was not designed for the defence of the in- 
habitants, but as a storehouse for supplying the Indians 
with goods, at a fair price, in time of peace ; it was, how- 
ever, used for the former purpose. The principal build- 
ing was enclosed by a strong picket wall with flankers, 
leaving sufficient space within the premises for a house 
to contain the stores, and for a parade ground. No re- 
mains of the buildings, except the foundation, are nov<r 
visible.* 

*A son of Lieutenant Bean tstill lives at a slrort distance from the 
spot, where he was bom before the remotal of the forces. It is ata- 



AND BIDDEFORD. 249 

In 1750, the settlement on the western side of the 
Falls appears to have become the most considerable in 
town. The three sawmills (the Gooch, Cole, and Low- 
er) gavfe employment to many individuals, who were set- 
tled in that vicinity. A ferry had been established 
several years before just below the present lower bridges. 
It was kept on the western side by Elisha Allen, who 
traded, and entertained travellers in a small one story 
house ; he afterwards built, at the same place, the house 
now occupied by Capt. Samuel White, where he lived 
until about the close of the revolutionary war.^ A few 



ted by Sullivan, p. 265, that Rev. Ammi R. Cutter, who had been a 
liiinister at N. Yarmouth, was subsequently commander of the truck- 
house on Saco river. He held the situation but a short time, having 
succeeded Capt. Smith. There is in our records a copy of a note 
from him to the townclerk, informingof an estray, dated "Biddeford, 
Dec. 3, 1743," written, probably, from the truckhouse. 

*Mr. Allen purchased, in 1750, the following described tract of 
land, of which the upper bounds were near his house : "A tract or 
parcel of land being and lying on Saco river where the tide ebbs and 
floweth, the breadth of it being 137 poles upon a southeast and north- 
west line, taking in all the coves upon the tide river and so to low 
water mark, with all the privileges of fishing and fowling, hawkino- 
and hunting, appertaining to the patent : and to begin at a little fall 
[the ripples,] being on the outside thereof on the side of it, a little a- 
bove the old dwellinghouse, and so from thence to go down unto the 
river by a little brook, which is about twelve poles from the rock un- 
to the river, and from that rock to begin upon a southwest line and 
to run four miles in length southwest, which is the breadth of the 
patent, and continues its breadth of 137 poles the whole four miles 
in all places, the southeast marked tree bounding or adjoinin«r the 
land of Zachary Gillam and Ephraim Turner," &c. 

This land was conveyed by Maj. Phillips to William Hutchinson, 
1673; whose heir, Eliakim Hutchinson Esq. of Boston, sold it to Al- 
len for £1200. The latter immediately after conveyed a breadth of 
45 rods on the southeast side to Thos. Gillpatrick, jr., and the same 
extent next above to Benj. Nason. It thus appears that the land sold 
by Phillips to Hobbs 1673, which was bounded on the northwest by 
Davis's brook, was situated in some other part of the patent, and 
that the brook so called by the Phillips heirs 1718, (see p. 207) was 
not the same mentioned in the deed to Hobbs. The latter seems to 
have been the brook now called Dungeon creek, neaT which Deacon 
Wingate lived, who bought out one of the Hobbs heirs, Elizabeth 
Vinning, of Salem. 

Allen conveyed the remainder of his purchase several years later 

to Col. John Tyng, merchant, of Boston, afterwards of Tyngsboro', 

Mass., who retained the property until his death 1707. The tract 

purchased by the Jordans and Poak 1742, lay next below the land of 

22 



250 HISTORY OF SACO 

rods above Allen, lived Joshua Warren, and above him, 
Benj. Hooper, Esq., who subsequently built the house 
now Capt. Samuel Emery's. William Dyer and Obod 
Emery were situated on the opposite side of the road, 
where the late Jeremiah Hill, Esq. (a son in law of Mr. 
Emery,) resided. Hooper and Emery were from Ber- 
wick, and settled in town about 1740. In the vicinity of 
the mill brow were William Cole, son of Samuel Cole, 
the ori2;inal proprietor of the mill that still bears his name ; 
John Gray, a son of Robert, and Theophilus Smith, son 
of Capt. Daniel, who were tl)e principal millmen. Mr. 
William Cole died 1754, at the age of thirty six, leaving 
four sons and one dau2;hter, viz. William, Jeremiah, 
Olive, Benjamin, and Nathaniel. The daughter was mar- 
ried to Mr. Lemuel Foss, 1761. Mr. John Gray posses- 
sed a valuable estate in the vicinity of the Falls. He 
married a daughter of Matthew Patten 1743. The house 
in which he last lived still remains, near the mill brow. 
He built another for his son in law, Mr. David King, (a 
brother of the late Rich. King, Esq. of Scarhoro',) at 
the place called 'King's Corner,' a short distance above 
the upper meetinghouse. Mr. Rob. Gray had two other 
sons, James and Robert. The latter piu-chased the in- 
terest of James Clark, in the vicinity of the lower mee- 
tinghouse in Biddeford, where he afterwards lived. 

A respectable number of families settled in the neigh- 
borhood of Clarke's, formerly Smith's, brook, early this 
century. The land of John Smith, which he conveyed 
to Nicholas Bully 1652, as already stated in the former 
part of our inquiries, after passing through the hands of 
various proprietors, was divided, in 1737, among the fol- 
lowing persons : Thos. Emery, James Clarke, Edw. Proc- 
tor, Wyatt IMoore, and John Murch, all of whom were 
then settled on or near the premises. This right, how- 
ever, was but a small part of what was taken up in that 
vicinity, and is only referred to as an ancient and interes- 



William Hutchinson, and consisted of two lots, one containing 500, 
the other 400 acres. The reader is desired to make the necessary 
correction, p. 209. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 251 

ting title. The "neck of land called Church Point,'* 
a boundary of Snnith's land in the deed of 1642, on the 
north side of the brook, is still known under that name, 
though more commonly called Gray's point, from the late 
proprietor. Tradition says that the first house of wor- 
ship stood there 5 and as the name savours of episcopacy, 
the church was probably erected by the earliest colonists. 
A collection of graves, evidently of great antiquity, is 
seen on the Point ; and, altho' at some distance from the 
principal settlement of the colonists, the beauty of the 
spot, (a circumstance more regarded in early than later 
times,) and the name which it bore several years prior to 
the erection of the meetinghouse of 1666,* lead us to 
the conclusion that Church Point was selected by Vines 
and his associates for the public purposes of religious 
service and burial. 

Thomas E-nery built about the year 1730, a house 
now a part of that occupied by the widow of his son, the 
late Ebenezer Emery, next below the lower meetinghouse, 
and in the vicinity of Church Point. The marriage of 
Mr. Euiery to a daughter of deacon Hill 1731, has been 
mentioned. Their children were, James, late deacon, 
Jonah, Joshua, Ebenezer, Thomas and Nathaniel. There 
were several families of tliis name in town at that time ; 
on a tax list of 1738, for the support of Mr. VVillard, we 
find the following names and assessments : Benj. Emery, 
£1 5s. 2d. ; Thomas Emery £i 4s. 3d ; Jonathan Eme- 
ry, 135. 2d. ; John Emery iOs. Ad. Mr. B. Emery, was 
living 1750, in the upper part of the town, in the neighbor- 
hood of Capt. Thomas Bradbury, but how early he set- 
tled there we are not informed. 

James Clarke lived on the brook which bears his name. 
In 1732, the town directed the treasurer to pay him 
"£13 for planking the bridge near his house, as soon as 
money comes to the treasurer by taxing the unimproved 
land." Clarke was taxed for the support of the minis- 
ter 1738, £1 4.?. 2d. Edward Proctor £1 4^. 2d, 



*It. is difficult to decide where this house, described as near " Powder 
i^sah) beef tree," was situated, no additional light having been thrown 
upon the subject in the progress of our inquiries. 



252 HISTOKY OF SAGO 

Wyatt Moore, 125. 10^. John Murch, 135. Sd, Matthew 
Patten, £1 6s. 4d. Simon Wingate, (afterwards deacon) 
1 Is. 10c?. Patten and Wingate lived above Thos. Eme- 
ry. The highest individual rates for the support of the 
minister that year, were the following ; Capi. S. Jordan 
^5 185. 7d. Pendleton Fletcher £5 I6s. 7. Samuel 
Cole £5 45. Sd. Capt. Daniel Smith £4 195. 8d. A- 
bout one half of the whole number of inhabitants were 
taxed less than one pound. 



CHAPTER V. 



The settlement on the east side of the river, to which 
the name of Saco East was sometimes applied before its 
distinct incorporation, increased but slowly in business and 
population for many years after the division of the Pro- 
prietors. The inhabitants continued to be chiefly located 
near the sea, at Old Orchard, and towards the mouth of 
the river, being for the most part descendants of the 
old families ; the Scammans, Edgecombs, Townsends, 
Youngs, Sharpes, Bankses, Sands, and Googins ; to whonj 
were added the respectable Irish, or more properly 
Scottish, emigrants, already noticed. Until 1731, Capt. 
Scamman, and the persons employed in the sawmill, with 
their families, appear to have been all that were settled in 
the vicinity of the Falls, in the course of that year, 
Mr. Weare transferred three fourths of his right both in 
the mill and lands, to Richard Berry, John Elden, and 
John Sellea ; and not long after, one eighth to Thomas 
Dearborn, and the remainder to Abraham Tyler and Jere. 
Mouiton. With the exception of Tyler and Moulton, 
the purchasers became inhabitants of the town. In 1736, 
Sellea sold one half of the lot lying on the upper side of 
the way laid out by the proprietors, now Main street, to i 
Jos. Hill, for £400, reserving "a place for burying, 20 i 
feet square." The land is described in the following 
manner ; "A certain parcel or tract of laud situate, ly- 



AND BIDDEFORD. 253 

iiig and being in Biddeford, on the easterly side of the 
river commonly called Saco, alias Biddeford river, which 
said tract is one half of the lot v»'here the said Sellea's 
and John Elden's houses now stand, the whole share be- 
ing about two miles in length, and forty rods in width, be 
it more or less, bounding easterly on a way, westerly upon 
land of H. Scamman, southerly partly on land left for a 
mill privilege," &£C. The stores of Messrs. King, and 
Scafninan h, Cole, stand where Elden and Sellea lived. 
The burying ground, which is in a field on the lower side 
of Storer street, has been recently ploughed up, (horresco 
referens,) but a (ew solitary headstones remain to mark 
the spot. Dearborn sold out in part to James Berry 
1737, and Tyler and Moulton to William Berry the year 
following. The Berrys all lived at the Falls. Richard 
married Abigail Smith, of Biddeford, 1736. He died 
1765, aged fifty eight. 

The lands and other property of Capt. Humphry 
Scamman were divided among his children 1736, in the 
following order : Humphry, the oldest son, received one 
third part of the share in the mills, and privilege, the first 
and second lots above and below the falls, and one half 
of the third lot above the falls ; together with twelve 
acres of salt marsh at Goose fair, and nine rods in the 
upper checker. This was a double portion. A few 
years after, as stated above, Humphry transferred a 
part of his right to Robert Gray. Dominicus, the 
second son, received 200 acres, lying on the north west 
side of Moses Deering's lot, together with one third of 
the remaining two thirds in the mills, and other small lots. 
He married Rebecca, daughter of Capt. Daniel Smith, 
1741, and lived near Mr. William Deering's, on the Fer- 
ry road ; but both died prematurely, of a malignant fever, 
1745, leaving two children, Dominicus and Elizabeth. 
To James, the third son, were assigned 100 acres of land 
hi Scarboro', with the mills and privilege at Dunston ; 
and also one half of the fifth lot above Saco falls, &z;c. 
He married about 1739, Hannah, a daughter of Col. 
Plaisted, of Berwick, and first occupied a house built by 
Pepperell where the Bartlett house now stands. He af- 
terwards purchased a part of Sellea's lot, and erected a 
22* 



254 HISTORY OF SACO 

house in the rear of the present Thornton house. He 
died 1753, aged thirty two, leaving two sons, the late 
Col. James, and Mr. Nathaniel Scamman, and three 
daughters, Hannah, who married Thomas Donnell ; Bet- 
sy, who married deacon John Hill, of Berwick ; and 
Mary, whose first hushand was Capt. Seth Mitchel. The 
widow married Maj. Ebenezer Ayer, from Haverhill, 
Mass., 1754, who occupied the house built by Mr. Scam- 
man, which he enlarged. They had several children, 
sotne of whom are now living. Nathaniel, the fourth son 
of Capt. Scamman, received 200 acres of the homestead 
at the lower ferry, a part of the mill, he. He died un- 
married at Cape Breton. Benjamin, the fifth son, recei- 
ved the remaining 200 acres of the homestead, with the 
buildings and appuitenances, and the privilege of keeping 
the Ferry, &ic. When 19 years of age, 1745, he joined 
the expedition to Cape Breton, with his brother Nathan- 
iel, and, it is said, came home sick of the prevailing lever 
the same year, and soon alter died. The iatal disease 
was communicated to several faniilies in town ; his brother 
Dominicus and wife fell victims to it. The next division 
was made to the heirs of Mrs. Hannah Brown, a deceased 
daughter of Capt. Scamman, who received the town 
grants made to him on Little river, 135 acres, also on© 
half of the fifth lot above the Falls, and 32^ rods in 
breadth in the upper division of Lewis and Bonython's pa- 
tent, next to Skinner's land, &lc. Elizabeth, another 
daughter, wife of Capt. Ichabod Goodwin, of Berwick, 
received for her portion lands in Kittery, 81 ncres in Saco, 
also one half of the fourth lot above ihe falls, and 35J 
rods in the u[)per checker. The late Maj. Gen. Ichabod 
Goodwin, formerly sheriff of the county of York, was 
their son. Mary Scamman, "who was in Canada," had 
assigned to her the sixth lot above the Falls, 63^ rods 
wide, and also a breadth of 82^ rods in the upper check- 
er ; now called "the Canada lots." These lands never 
came into the possession of Mary's heirs, although it is 
said that a daughter addressed a letter on the subject to 
her cousin, deacon Dominicus Goodwin, of Berwick, 
written in the French language ; but owing probably to 
the difficulty of communicating in a foreign tongue, and 



AND BIDDEFORD. 255 

at so great a distance, the claim was neglected. At 
length 1802, a partition of the lots among the heirs of 
the other children of Capt. Scamman was ordered by 
the Court of Common Pleas, which accordingly took 
place. Sarah Scamman, the youngest daughter, who 
afterwards married Jos. Hanson, of Dover, received as 
her portion of the estate, a piece of land at Kittery point, 
a small lot of three acres with a house thereon on ihq 
west side of the lower ferry, 81 acres adjoinitig Domini- 
cus, one half of the fourth lot above the Falls, and 31J- 
rods breadth in the upper checker.* In the allotment to 
the widow, are mentioned two houses at the lower lerry, 
viz. the old homestead, and that assig;ned to Sarah ; a 
new house at the Falls on Humphry's first lot, soon after 
sold to Gray, and the mill house belonging to partners, 
"in which," say the commissioners, "Joshua Hooper now 
lives." 

Robert Gray emigrated from Ireland, and first settled 
in Berwick. Soon after his purchase from ,H. Scam- 
man, 1744, of the house and 200 acres of land where 
the latter lived, he conveyed the premises to his son 
James, from whom he received a lease of the same dur- 
ing life. He died 1771, at the age of ninety one years. 
A few years after the division of Capt. Scamman's estate, 
the property at the lower ferry, in part, was purchased 
by the late deacon Amos Chase, who built the house now 
occupied by Simeon Holt, and kept the ferry several 
years. Deacon Chase came into this quarter from New- 
bury about 1741, when he married Sarah, daughter of 
Mr. Samuel Cole. He at first attempted a settlement in 
Buxton, on a right belonging to his father, and was the 
first person who went with a team into that town. The 
war of 1744 caused him to return to Newbury, from 
which place he came again to Saco river, and settled at 
the ferry 1753. He removed from the ferry 1763, to 
the estate two miles above, where he passed the remain- 
der of his long and active life.f 



*The reader is desired to supply the omission in the names of Capt. 
Scamman's children, p. 213. 

iThe stately elms which adorn the late residence of the good dea- 
con, he carried to the spot and set out with his own hands, about the 



256 HISTORY OF SACO 

Pepperell alienated a very small part of his extensive 
interest in town ; a few house lots, in the vicinity of the 
mill, comprised all of which the conveyances now appear. 
It is said, however, that he granted one hundred acres, , 
or more, to John Phillips, who settled in town about 1730. 
The statement is, that Phillips was a native of the west 
of England, and a cousin to Sir William ; and that on 
his coming over, the latter gave him a deed of the tract : 
in question, but retained the instrument for safe keeping, 
which alter the death of the baronet was either lost or 
destroyed. The story is not wholly improbable, the: 
father of Sir William having emigrated in humble circum- 
stances from the county of Cornwall, in the southwest of; 
England, and the latter having permitted Phillips to im- 
prove the land from the time of his settlement in town. 
The lot is said to have extended in length from the pre- 
sent First Parish meetinghouse to Goose fair brook, om 
the lower side of the way, which divided Pepperell and 
Weare. Phillips lived in a small house that stood where 
Jona. King Esq. now resides, whose valuable estate is a 
part of the tract claimed by the heirs. Their title was 
allowed to a certain extent by the agent of government, 
appointed for the sale of confiscated lands. 

The decease of Sir William Pepperell, Baronet, took . 
place 6 July, 1759. The following schedule of his lands 
now lying in the town of Saco, amounting to about 5500 
acres, was drawn up at that time : 1. The mill right, from 
Gray's land to Main street in breadth, and two miles | 
back, supposed to contain 300 acres. 2. A lot consis- 
ting of 300 acres, 100 rods distant from the former. 3. 
The great lot, Pepperell's half, 1200 acres. 4. Deep 
brook lot, 700 acres. 5. Guinea lot, 600 acres. 6. Ber- 
ry's lot, 350 acres. 7. Long Reach lot, 700 acres. 8. 
Old Orchard lot, 490 acres. 9. Interest in Foxwell's 
right, 870 acres. Sir William devised this valuable pro- 
perty to his grandson, William P. Sparhawk, a son of 



time of his removal. It is gratifying to notice this exception to the 
general indifference of our inhabitants to the cultivation of ornamen- 
tal trees. The advice of Dumbiedikes to his son is of\ener quoted 
than followed : "Jock, when yc hae naething else to do, ye may be 
aye sticking in a tree ; it will be growing, Jock, whenye're sleeping." 



AND BIDDEFORD. 2611 

Nathl. Sparhawk, Esq. whose wife was the only survi- 
ving child of the Baronet. Young Sparhawk, then a 
minor, was to take the name of William Pepperell, when 
he became of age. 

The improvements made by Pepperell were not very 
extensive. Beside his part of the saw and gristmills, he 
liad a wharf and store, or warehouse, as it was called, 
situated as the similar property now is below the Falls. 
He likewise built a small house on nearly the same spot 
where the Bardett house stands, which was used at ao 
early period for the accommodation of travellers. Mr. 
Richard Burke, an agent of the Pepperell family, after- 
wards occupied it. The Ferry was also in part the pro^ 
perty of Pepperell. The Baronet was often in town, 
and his appearance is well remembered by several aged 
persons. He passed much time at the house of Rev. 
Mr. Morrill, and always attended meeting when here 
on Sunday. His dress was usually in the expensive style 
of those days, of scarlet cloth, trimmed with gold lace. 
When strangers were present at meeting it was common 
to solicit a contribution, the avails of which were the 
perquisite of the minister. Pepperell, although tradition 
does not speak of him as distinguished for his liberality, 
would sometimes, it is said, throw a guinea into the box, 
.in token of his friendship and regard for the worthy pas- 
tor. Few men have passed through life with so much 
success in their enterprises, whether of a public or pri- 
vate nature, as Sir William uniformly enjoyed. Even the 
reduction of Louisburg, the pillar of his fame, has been 
ascribed to a series of lucky accidents, or to the special 
interposition of Heaven, rather than to the military skill 
of the general. It is a homely tradition, that whatever 
he willed, was done. None thought it wise to dispute 
his wishes. 

No regular Physician is known to have settled in town 
until a comparatively late period. Medical practice was 
chiefly in the possession of females, of acknowledged 
tact and experience, whose acquaintance with a feu sim- 
ple remedies, and faithful care of their patients, supplied 
in a good degree the want of professional skill. In cases 
pf great difficulty and danger, and those which required 



253 HISTORY OF SACO 

surgical aid, the physicians of the larger towns were 
usually employed. Dr. Packer, of Portsmouth, (who 
died 1728, at an advanced age,) extended his visits into 
this quarter ; as did the celebrated Dr. Clement Jackson, 
and Dr. Pierce, of the same town, and Dr. Lyman of 
York. The latter, we have heard, resided here a short 
period on the west side of the river, during the ministry 
of Mr. Willard, but cannot vouch for the accuracy of the 
statement. Dr. Nathl. Coffin, who settled in Falmouth 
(Portland) 1739, and practised with great reputation 
nearly thirty years, was often employed by our inhabitants. 
The first physician that is known with certainty to have 
settled in town, was Dr. Samuel White, Esq., (for he was 
a magistrate as well as a physician,) who came from York, 
as early as 1750. He lived at the Falls, on the east 
side, in a house that stood until a recent date, on wharf 
hill, a short distance above that of Captain Jonathan 
Cleaves. We find the town voting to pay him "265, 
8d. lawful money, for service done for Walter Murch, 
in dressing his leg," 1756. Dr. White died soon after 
that date, of consumption. His wife, whose maiden name 
was Woodbridge, of York, on his death returned to that 
place. 

The next physician, Dr. Donald Cummings, was a 
man of some celebrity. He was a native of Scotland, 
and came to America as a surgeon in the British army. 
He was induced to settle in town, it is said, by Lieut. 
Ladd, with whom he formed an intimate friendship while 
in the service. He came early in 1755, and resided at first 
on the east side of the river. The same year, Dec. 30, 
he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth, widow of Mr. William 
Cole, and soon after removed to the house built by the 
latter on the mill brow, west of the Falls. Possessing 
popular manners, and the reputation of great skill in his 
profession, he acquired in a short time a very extensive 
practice. His services were in requisition abroad as well 
as at home, and aged persons in neighboring towns still 
speak of Dr. Cummings, as the most distinguished prac- 
titioner of former days. In his habits, he was social even 
to excess ; cheerful and full of anecdote, he inspired good 
humor and friendly feelings wherever he went. His death 



AND BIDDEFORD. 259 

was the result of accident. Returning late on the night 
of April I, 1774, from a visit to the house fornieily Capt. 
Samuel Jordan's, at Winter Harbor, he was thrown from 
his horse on the shore of the Pool, where his lifeless 
body was discovered the following morning. He left 
three sons, James, Donald, and Nathaniel. 

The first merchants or traders of whom we have an 
account on the east side, were Tristram Jordan, Andrew 
Bradstreet, Thomas Cutts, Thomas Donnell, and David 
King. Mr. Jordan, third son of Capt. Samuel, took the 
Pepperell house, (in which Mr. Jas. Scamman had lived,) 
1749, having married the same year, Hannah, daughter 
of Capt. Ichabod Goodwin, of Berwick. He soon after 
built a house, recently taken down, which stood on Storer 
street, on the site of which Capt. Tristram Storer has 
since erected another. In 1754, he was chosen one of 
the selectmen of the town, altlio' but 23 years of age, and 
about the same time received the commission of captain 
in the militia ; offices which it was not customary at that 
period to bestow on young men. We have before us the 
commission of Samuel Scanmian, (father of the late dea- 
con,) as "lieutenant of the First Company of Foot on 
the East Side of Sawco river, in the Town of Biddeford, 
in the Co. of York, whereof Tristram Jordan is Captain, 
in the first Regiment whereof Sir William Pepperell is 
Colonel," S^c. given at Boston 12 April, 1755. The 
books of Capt. Jordan, kept at that time, show that he 
traded to a considerable extent. By the tax list of 1755, 
it appears that the whole number of persons assessed on 
the east side of the river, was 115, including six non- 
residents. The highest rates were paid by the following : 
Tristram Jordan, Eben. Ayer, Jas. Gray, Rich. Berry, 
Amos Chase, Edward Rumery, Jas. McLellan, Martin 
Jameson, Rob. Gray, jr., S. Scamman, Walter Foss, R. 
Patterson ; the first paid £4 5d., the last £i lOs. 2d. 

Andrew Bradstreet came 1756-7, and occupied the 
house in which Capt. Sam. Jordan Morrill now lives. His 
store was adjoining the house, on the front. Captain 
Thomas Donnell rented at the same time the store or 
warehouse of Sir W. Pepperell, on the wharf below ; his 
son, now living in Hollis, was a clerk in the store 1758, 



560 HISTORY or saco 

then 18 years of age. Mr. David King traded a short 
thne near the head of the wharf, but soon after his mar- 
riage, 1762. removed to the west side of the river. 

Col. Thomas Cutts, for a long period one of the most 
eminent merchants in Maine, was the youngest son of 
deacon Richard Cutts, of Cutts's island, Kittery. His 
great grand father, Robert Cutts, Esq. emigrated to this 
country from the west ol" England, about the year 1645, 
and with his two brothers, whose names were John and 
Richard, settled on the Isles of Shoals, at that time a 
place of great resort for English fishing vessels. From 
humble circumstances they all rose to the enjoyment of 
great wealth, the reward of long continued and success- 
ful enterprise. Robert finally removed to Kittery, and 
his brothers to Portsmouth, where they were for many 
years among the most respected inhabitants. The former 
was appointed a magistrate by the King's Commissioners, 
1665; and at his death, 1672, left a large estate to his 
son Richard, father of the deacon. The latter was bord 
1693, and married Eunice Curtis, 1720. Our towns- 
man, as stated on a preceding page, was the youngest but 
one of their ten children. Having served a clerkship 
with Pepperell, he early commenced business, it is said, 
at Kittery, but proving unfortunate in his first enterprise, 
he left the place, and soon after, about 1758, came to 
this town. He was then but twenty two years of age, 
with a capital of only $100, for which, and to a greater a- 
mount, he was indebted to his father. He first took a 
room in Dr. White's house, where he began trading on a 
small scale. By practising the most rigid economy, even 
to the preparation of his own food, thereby avoiding the 
expense of board, and with the aid of an uncommon ap- 
titude for business, Mr. Cutts within a short period en- 
larged his capital, and became engaged in lucrative and 
extensive transactions. It is worthy to be noticed a& 
creditable to his early character, that with his first pro- 
fits he discharged the obligations to his father. Indian i 
island at that time was covered with a forest of oaks, 
and as yet had served little other purpose than to afford 
a favorite place of resort to the friendly natives during* 
the fishing season, when great numbers of them were 



AND BIDDEFORD. 261 

usually there. They had enjoyed from time immemo- 
rial an undisturbed right of occupancy to this valuable 
spot, now so completely divested of its natural beauty 
and all that rendered it attractive to the rude savage. 
Even many years after the improvements were commen- 
ced on both Falls, the island continued to be the occa- 
sional abode of the Indians, and was the scene of many 
a noisy frolic and midnight revel, when their loud and 
frantic cries, mingled with the roar of the cataract, often 
excited alarm and consternation among the inhabitants. 
The partners, in the division of 1718, simply claimed it 
as their property, neglecting to make a partition, as of 
their other lands, notwithstanding the advantages which 
it presented for the erection of mills, and as a central 
medium of communication between the opposite settle- 
ments. Mr. Cutts was the first to appreciate the im- 
portance of the island for these and other purposes, and 
early resolved to make it the seat of his business. In 
pursuance of this design, he purchased in the summer of 
1759, a small undivided part, being a fourth of Weare's 
original share, for about ninety dollars, and soon after 
built a small house, with conveniences for a store, on the 
southwest end of the island, (where it still remains,) to 
which he removed. A bridge had been recently thrown 
across the narrow part of the stream, on the east side, 
a short distance above that now leading from Main street, 
and a road laid out nearly as it runs at present to the 
western freebridge. The Ferry was at the same time 
established from that part of the island, to Allen's, (now 
Capt. White's,) thereby avoiding more than half the dis- 
tance of the old route from Pepperell's wharf. After 
the erection of the proprietors' bridge at the same place, 
1767, with which the inhabitants were highly gratified, 
Mr. Cutts began to reap the full advantages of a situation 
so judiciously chosen. Beside the business of his store, 
which became greater than that of any other in the vicini- 
ty, he entered into shipbuilding and navigation, and up to 
the commencement of the revolutionary war, was enga- 
ged in a timber trade with the British W. I. islands, equal- 
ly profitable and extensivie. 
23 



262 HISTORY OF SACO 

Mr. Cutts was married, 24 Aug. 1762, by Rev. Mr. 
Morrill, to Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. Dominicus Scam- 
inan, who, on the premature decease of her parents, had 
been adopted by her maternal grandmother, Madam 
Ladd. He continued to occupy his first house about 
twenty years, in which were born all but one of eight 
children, five of whom are now living. In 1782, the 
family removed to the elegant mansion house, on the up- 
per part of the island, where Col. Cutts passed the re- 
mainder of his life.* 

The first mechanic within the limits of the present vil- 
lage, whose name has reached us, was Samuel Dennet, a 
tanner, from Kittery. He came as early as 1738, and 
lived opposite Spring's island, where his son built a saw- 
mill and gristmill 1795. Hence the name of Dennet's 
landing, given to "the place for taking logs out of the 
river," on the upper side of the bridge. Samuel Warren, 
a blacksmith, came from Berwick a few years after Mr. 
Dennet. He married Sarah, daughter of Mr. Robert 
Gray, 1749, and purchased a houselot from Sir William 
Pepperell 1752, on which he built the house now occu- 
pied by his son, Capt. Thomas Warren. He died 1814, 
aged eighty eight years. John Armstrong, a cabinetma- 
ker, from Boston, settled in town about 1750, and re- 
mained more than twenty years. He occupied the house 
of Mr. John Elden, after the latter removed to Buxton, 
and bad his shop in the building. Mr. Armstrong retur- 
ned to Boston, where he has respectable descendants.f 



*The Popperell half of the island was purchased by Col. Cutts 
1774, for about $1100; he had previously bought Sellea's 1-16, and 
an equal proportion from Mclntire, of York, probably Elden's share. 
Other small parts were conveyed to him at different times, by the 
Berrys or their assijrns, and the Scamman heirs. 

tHis father, James Armstrong, and his brother in law, Robert 
Means, were amongr the presbyterian emigrants from Ireland, and 
settled at Falmouth 1718. Mr. Means subsequently removed to this 
lovvn, having purchased an estate at Old Orchard, where he died 
17G0, aged seventy ni ne years. He had two sons, Thomas and John ; 
the former settled at Flying point, (Casco bay,) now in Freeport, 
where he was unfortunately killed by the Indians 1756. (Sullivan. 
IDO. Smith's Journal.) John died at Old Orchard 1776, leaving five 
sons : John Robert, James, Thomas, and George ; the third of whom 
commanded a company during the last four years of the revolution- 
ary war, and has since lived at Stroudwater village, Westbrook. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 



263 



John Hurley, a tailor, was here at the same time. Pep- 
perell sold him a house lot below Warren's, where he 
probably built the house, afterwards Bradstreet's, in which 
Capt. Morrill now lives. He remained but a few years. 
Isaac Whitney, housewright, purchased a house lot situa- 
ted between Warren and Hurley, from Sir William 1752. 
Two years after he sold to Mr. Warren the lot, "together 
with a house standing thereon." Gershom Billings, a 
tailor, was here 1750, when he worked in a small shop 
that stood where the stone block of Messrs. Andrews and 
Scamman has been recently built. He married a daugh- 
ter of deacon Wingate, 1764, and lived in the house 
formerly Dr. White's, which he purchased. Mr. Bil- 
lings was afterwards chosen deacon of the first church on 
the east side of the river, and finally removed to Buxton. 
John Kendrick, a well known shoemaker, bought a house- 
lot of Pepperell, now a part of the Cleaves hotel premi- 
ses, 1752. He at first built a small house on this lot, 
in which he lived many years. Kendrick died 1825, aged 
ninety five. John Fitts, a chairmaker, had a shop next 
above Bradstreet, 1760. Francis Tucker, a hatter, from 
Portsmouth, was here 1762. His house was on Main 
street, nearly opposite Saco Bank. He died 1790, aged 
ninety.* 

In 1755, the following persons were taxed for the item 
o{ faculty, on the list committed to the constable of the 
east side of the river : Doi»ald Cummings 55. Id. ; S. 
Dennet 45. ; S. Warren 35. 9c?. ; J. Kendrick 25. ; J. 
Hurley 25. ; Isaac Whitney l5. 10c?.; John Armstrong 
l5. \0^d. In 1762, Thomas Cutt 125. ; S. Warren 12s.; 
S. Dennet 125. ; A. Bradstreet IO5. ; Capt. Thos. Don- 
nell IO5. ; David King 55. ; Francis Tucker 55. 

The way laid out by the partners 1718, from the mill 
to the middle line, was made a highway 1754, and ex- 

*The Pepperell house, already mentioned, was a place of resort at 
that period for the lovers of punch, flip and Sampson, (the latter a 
beverage composed of rum, cider, &c.) A book is preserved con- 
taining charges against sundry persons, who frequented the house in 
1750. The following are spfeciinens of the items: 1 bowl Punch 7*. 
(old tenor) 1 mug Sampsoii '6s. Gi^. ; 1 mug Flip 5^. } 2 qts. Syder 5*.; 
1 Leamon 2^, 3(/. 



264 HISTORY OF SAOO 

tended to the Scarborough line ; it is now the post road 
to Portland. Up to that date the travelling was contin- 
ued on the lower road, crossing the Ferry near the mouth 
of the river, and another at Blue-point."* The return of 
the jury is as follows: *'Nov. 2, 1754. We the sub- 
scribers being a jury summoned and sworn to lay out a 
highway in as direct a course as may be, from Biddeford' 
lower falls, on the eastern side of Saco river, to Dunston 
in the town of Scarboro' ; having viewed the land, do 
lay out the same as follows, viz. beginning at Saco ferry 
on the eastern side of said river, next below the lower 
falls aforesaid at an elm tree, at the middle of the ferry 
place, and running as the road now goeth, from thence 
north sixty degrees west, twenty seven rods, thence 
north west by north twenty four rods, to the garrison or 
fort so called, thence, running north east between the lands 
of Sir William Pepperell, and the heirs of Mr. James 
Scamman deceased, five hundred and forty rods crossing 
over Goose fair river to a white oak tree marked ; and 
from thence north fifteen degrees east, two hundred and 
forty rods by marked trees and thence north forty degrees 
east fifty four rods crossing over Little river to the banks 
on the northeast side of said river, thence north nine de- 
grees east twenty six rods by markM trees, from thence 
northeast two hundred and sixty rods to the southwest 
side of Foxwell's millpond, and thence northeast cros- 
sing the millpond, one hundred and eighty two rods to the 
town line between the towns of Biddeford and Scarboro', 
the said road for the space often rods joining on the south- 
west side of said mill pond to be five rods wide, and all 
on the southeast side of said line for the advantage of 
joining a bridge, and in all other parts to be four rods 



*The last person who had charge of the Ferry at Blue-point, was 
Mr. Abraham Tyler, who died a few years since at an advanced 
age. He came from Andover, Mass. and married in this town, 1743. 
His wife was one of the two children, Elizabeth and Andrew, "heirs 
of Mrs. Hannah Brown," (see p. 254,) grand children of Capt. Scam- 
man, by whom both were adopted after the early decease of their 
parents. Andrew settled at Kennebunk-port, where his descendants 
are numerous and respectable. This family of Browns had an ex- 
tensive right to lands in Scarboro', derived from their ancestor, Mr. 
Andrew Brown, who purchased from George Cleaves IG55, 



AND BIDDEFORD. 265 

wide." The same jury, Rich. King, Esq. of Scarboro', 
foreman, laid out the Buxton road, four rods wide, of 
which the return bears the same date as the preceding. 



CHAPTER VI. 



The town passed a vote at the March meeting, 1752, 
to erect a new meetinghouse on the land of Matthew Pat- 
ten, to which thirty persons, chiefly resident on the eas- 
tern side of the river, entered their dissent. And in 
April following, the inhabitants on that side obtained the 
consent of the town to be set off as a distinct parish* 
The meetinghouse was in consequence not built at the 
charge of the town, but by the subscriptions of the in- 
habitants on the western side. The committee to super- 
intend the building of it, was composed of Rishworth Jor- 
dan, Esq., Jos. Tarbox, Jos. Dyer, Benj. Hooper, and 
Jere. Hill. It was completed 1759, by Mr. Nathaniel 
Perkins, master builder, and is now known as the lower 
meetinghouse in Biddeford. 

In the meantime, the eastern Parish set about erecting 
a meetinghouse for their own accommodation, on a piece 
of land granted them by Sir William Pepperell. The 
donation was made 1752, and consisted of four acres, "for 
building a meetinghouse, for a burying place, and for set- 
ting up a schoolhouse, and for no other use or end what- 
ever." The frame of the house was soon after erected, 
and the town was desired to finish it, which they voted 
to do, March, 1754 ; but in October following, the vote 
was rescinded. At a meeting the next month, a proposi- 
tion was made to raise a sum, one half of which should 
be appropriated towards completing the house, and the 
remainder for repairing the old house on the west sid6, 
which was rejected ; but the town granted £26 13*. 4c?., 
*Ho hire a preacher for the winter season on the east side," 
and appointed Amos Chase, Samuel Scamman, and Ben- 
jamin Hooper, a committee for thie purpose. Three 
years after, 1757, the town passed the following vote : 
23* 



266 HISTORY OF SACO 

"That the meeting house now erected on the east side of 
the river be a meetinghouse for the public worship on 
said side, and be finished by the inhabitants of said side 
at their own cost and charge." And Mr. Morrill was 
permitted to preach there one third part of his time the 
year ensuing. Mr. Edmund Moody, of Kittery, an ex- 
perienced workman, was employed to finish this house, 
which stood until recently a few rods below the present 
meetinghouse of the Second Parish. The desk was 
partially supplied by Rev. Mr. Morrill, until 1761, when 
the services of Mr. John Fairfield, a candidate for the 
ministry, were obtained. Mr. Fairfield preached his first 
sermon on a temporary engagement, 23 August, 1761. 
He continued till Nov. 11, boarding at first with Mr. Jas. 
Gray, and afterwards with Capt. Tristram Jordan. He 
resumed his labors in January, 1762, and continued, with 
a short intermission in the summer of that year, until his 
setdement. 

In 1760, the limits of York County, which extended 

from New Hampshire to Nova Scotia, were reduced by 

the erection of two new counties, Cumberland and Lin- 

,coln. The east line of the County remains as it was then 

established, except that it has been curtailed on the north. 

The inhabitants on the east side of the river had at 
length become so numerous, that they petitioned the Gen- 
eral Court for a separate act of incorporation. This was 
obtained in June, 1762* : when it was "enacted by the 
Governor, Council, and House of Representatives, that 
all the lands in the Town of Biddeford lying on the East 
side of Saco River in the County of York, together with 
an Island in the said River commonly called and known 
by the name of Indian Island, be, and hereby is, erected 
into a separate and distinct District by the name of Pep- 
PERRELLBOROUGB, bounded with the same bounds as 
the Town of Biddeford now is on the East side of Saco 
river ; and that the said District be, and hereby is inves- 
ted with all the privileges, powers and immunities that 
Towns in this Province by Law do or may enjoy, that of 



'See Appendix F. for a copy of the entire Act. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 267 

sending a Representative lo the General Assembly only 
excepted,' he. 

The name ol Pepperrellborongh was retained by the 
town until 1805, when the old and more convenient de- 
signation, Sago, was substituted, on the petition of the 
town, by an act of the Legislature. This name had, in- 
deed, never been out of popular use. 

The first district or town meeting was holden in July, 
when Tristram Jordan, A«nos Chase, and Robert Patter- 
son, jr. were chosen selectmen, and Tristram Jordan 
clerk. At a subsequent meeting, Aug. 7, a committee 
was appointed, consisting of Lieut. Samuel Banks, R. 
Patterson, jr., Jas. McLellan, and Ebenezer Ayer, who 
were authorized to invite Rev. John Fairfield to settle in 
the work of the ministry, and to offer him a salary of 
£600, old tenor, equivalent to £80 lawful, ($266,66) 
"if they could not agree for a less sum." The meeting 
having been adjourned to Aug. 24, it was then voted to 
allow Mr. Fairfield a settlement of £1000, old tenor, 
($444,44), that he might provide himself with a parson- 
age. These terms were accepted by Mr. Fairfield, who 
returned his answer Sept. 24. The following persons 
united themselv^es, into a church society, Octo. 13, ob- 
serving a solemn fast on that day : Robert Patterson, 
Robert Edgecomb, Samuel Banks, Magnus Ridlon,Thos. 
Edgecomb, Tristram Jordan, Amos Chase, R. Patterson 
jr. Andrew Bradstreet, Gershom Billings. Messrs. Chase 
and Patterson, sen. were subsequently elected deacons, 
but the latter declining the office, Mr. Billings was chosen 
in his stead. The ordination of Mr. Fairfield took place 
Octo. 27, 1762, when the following churches were re- 
presented : the first church in Boston, (of which the 
pastor elect was a member,) the church in Biddeford, 
1st and 2d churches in Wells, 2d church in Scarborough, 
1st church in Falmouth, the church in Windham. Rev. 
Mr. Morrill presided in the Council. The exercises of 
the ordination were conducted by the pastors of neigh- 
boring churches in the following order : Rev. Mr. Elvins, 
of Scarboro', offered the introductory prayer ; Rev. Mr. 
Morrill delivered the sermon, from Luke, xii, 42. Mr. 
Fairfield then read his answer to the invitation of the 



268 HISTORY OF SACa 

town ; Rev. Mr. Morrill made the ordaining prayer, and 
gave the charge, assisted in the imposition of hands by 
Kev. Peter Smith of Windham ; Rev. Daniel Liitle, of 
the 2d church in Wells (Kennebunk) extended the right 
hand of fellowship ; Rev. Moses Hemmenway, of the 
first church in Wells, offered the concluding prayer ; after 
which the newly ordained pastor read Psalm 123, and 
pronounced the blessing.* 

The Rev. John Fairfield was a descendant of John 
Fairfield, a puritan, who was admitted a member of the 
church at Salem 1639, and freeman of the Colony the 
succeeding year. William Fairfield, Esq. a grandson of 
the latter, was the representative of Wenham, near Sa- 
lem, in the General Court 27 years, nine of which he 
presided as speaker of the House. He died 1742, in the 
eighty first year of his age. His oldest son, William, set- 
tled in Boston, where he died 1770, leaving six chil- 
dren, the second of whom was our minister. The latter 
graduated at Harvard College 1757, and was engaged 
as a teacher at Manchester and Roxbury, Mass. until he 
commenced preaching, Feb. 1760. Before his engage- 
ment at this place, Mr. Fairfield supplied the desk at 
Leominster, Mass. nearly five months, 1760 ; and sub- 
sequently preached in the warehouse at Arrowsick, 
Georgetown ; m the First Parish of Scarboro' ; and at 
Dunstable, Mass. Previously to his settlement, 20 July, 
1762, he was married to Mrs. Mary, daughter of Capt, 
Ichabod Goodwin, and widow of Foxwell Curtis Cutts, 
E. q. of Berwick. f Soon after his settlement, Mr. Fair- 



^Mr. Kbenezer Ayer provided a dinner on this occasion at the ex- 
pense of the town, of which ninety persons partook. Mr. Ayer 
charged at the rate of IO5. old tenor, or 24 coppers per head. The 
folio winor articles were purchased for the entertainment, at the an- 
nexed prices: 1^ bus turnips £1 45. 2 bus potatoes £2 65. Sixty 
four pds. beef £4 )6s 6 pds plums £2 5s. Pepper and Spice £1 
Ss. Two oreese £2 One turkey and one other fowl £1 7d Two 
turkeys £1 10. Seventeen pds. pork £4 5s Four fowls £1 4d. 
Cabbage 18$. 13^ pds. butter £4 18s. 11 pds. suffar £2 15s. C pds. 
plums £2 5s. 54 pds. flour £3 Is. 25 pds. pork £() 5s One barrel 
beer £2 Two galls, rum £4 10s. Two qts. brandy £1 2s. Gd. Two 
bus. rye and indian meal £3. (Old Tenor, or about 50 cts. to the £.) 
Eight cooks and waiters were employed on the occasion. 

tMr. Fairfiehi recorded in a private journal the death of a son of 
Mr. Cutts, in the following manner : "1706, May 3d. At six o'clock 



AND BIDDEFORD. 269 

field built the house now occupied by Mr. William Dee- 
ring. His amiable consort died 16 April, 1774, at the 
age of thirty seven ; leaving a family of six children, five 
of whom were daughters, and all at a tender age. Mr. 
Fairfield was twice subsequently married. 

The town affairs present nothing of particular interest 
after this date until the commencement of the revolu- 
tionary struggle. In the meantime, several professional 
gentlemen settled in the villages at the Falls, attracted 
doubtless by their growing importance, and the fair pros- 
pect of a continued increase in the amount of business. 
Of this number was James Sullivan, subsequently dis- 
tinguished as a Judge of the Supreme Court, and Governor 
of the Commonwealth. Mr. Sullivan was a native of Ber- 
wick, where his parents settled early in that century, hav- 
ing emigrated to N;jw England from Limerick, Ire- 
land. His father was long employed as an instructer at 
Berwick, and, possessing a familiar acquaintance with the 
higher branches of learning, bestowed on his sons, (of 
whom there were four,) the only patrimony in his gift, 
but more valuable than any other, a good education. He 
designed them, however, for the labors of a farm, in which 
James was actually employed until a late period of his 
youth, when, fortunately for society, of which he was 
destined to prove so bright an ornament, an accidental in- 
jury withdrew him from the further pursuit of that occupa- 
tion. His steps were then turned into a track that led to 
a wider sphere of usefulness, for which his native powers 
of mind peculiarly fitted him. He studied law with his 
brother. Gen. John Sullivan, at Durham, N. H. and 
opened an office in Biddeford 1769. He purchased a 



morning died my son Samuel Cutt, aged 7 years perhaps to one min- 
ute, of the Nervous Fever, who laid 10 days in a senseless Frame, 
and never spake till Death put a Period to his Days. May this Pro- 
vidence be sanctified to us all who are exercised with it to our spiritu- 
al Good. He wasdecently interred on Sabbath Evening at 7 o'clock 
the 4th Instant. At the Funeral were the following Persons to whom 
for their Special services we gave Gloves. Mr. Morrill Chaplain; 
Doct. Cummings, Physician. Bearers, William Patterson, John 
Morrill, Joseph Morrill, John Chase, sons of R. Patterson jr , Rev. 
Moses Morrill, and Rev. (Josiah) Chase of Spruce Creek, (Kittery.)" 
Then follow the names of the watchers, and several other persona, 
in all thirty two, to whom gloves were given. 



270 HISTORY OF SACO 

small one story house, containing only two rooms, in which 
he lived three or four years ; but afterwards built a hand- 
some front of two stories, the same now occupied by Ed- 
mund Coffin, Esq. His office stood in a corner of the 
garden adjacent to his house. No regular attorney had 
previously settled on Saco river ; the litigated business 
having been wholly managed by lawyers residing in dis- 
tant towns, who were in the habit of riding the circuits of 
the courts. Mr. Sullivan speedily rose into favor and ex- 
tensive practice, aided by popular manners and a close ap- 
plication to the business of his profession. "His accom- 
modating disposition," says a cotemporary resident in 
town, "made him much beloved. Necessity in early life 
brought him acquainted with labor of almost every kind ; 
the axe, the saw, the shovel, the plough, he handled 
equally with any one, and superior lo most men, and with 
such willing resolution that none went before him. He 
would fall a tree equal to any, and lift as much. The 
town of Limerick was located 1772, in which he had a 
share, and the proprietors honored him with the name, 
[being that of the town from which his father emigrated.] 
In 1774, litigation had ceased, the courts were suspended, 
and his case, would with most men have been gloomy in 
the extreme ; not so with him, however. He took his 
axe, week's provisions, and blanket, frock and trowsers, 
and went with the other settlers, to Limerick, (for most 
of them went from Saco,) and commenced falling trees 
to reduce his lands to a state of cultivation, for the sup^ 
port of himself and family. On Saturday evenings, he 
returned (the distance was nearly thirty miles,) as black 
and as cheerful as the natives when they return from a 
successful hunt. The business of the country, however, 
soon required his energies." 

Three physicians settled in Biddeford, and one in Pep- 
perrellborough, before the death of Dr. Cummings. Dr. 
Abiathar Alden, one of the former, came about 1765, 
from the Old Colony. He was only remarkable for his 
tory principles, which finally lost him the small portion of 
practice he at first possessed. Dr. John Jackson, from 
Portsmouth, resided in Biddeford about the same time. 
He remained only a short period. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 271 

Aaron Porter, M. D. from Boxford, Mass. settled in 
Biddeford 1773, and soon acquired an extensive practice, 
which he retained until his removal (1810) to Portland, 
where he now resides. Dr. Porter studied with the late 
Thomas Kittredge, M. D. of Andover, whose father, Dr. 
John Kittredge, an eminent surgeon, was often employed 
in this quarter.^ Benj. Hooper, Esq. built that year the 
house now occupied by Capt. Samuel Emery, attached 
to which was the office of Dr. Porter, directly opposite 
Mr. Sullivan's. The hardships encountered by Dr. Por- 
ter in his early practice, are well described in the follow- 
ing extract from a communication on the subject with 
which he has favoured us. "At that period, most of the 
country was new, unsettled, and wilderness. Although 
Saco was settled and inhabited from 1629, yet the set- 
tlements were altogether by the Sea or on the margin of 
the River, or about a mill, so that all the lands round a- 
bout remained a wilderness. In this wilderness country, 
without experience it is hard to conceive what difficulties, 
dangers and hardships a young Physician must suffer in 
his professional business, riding necessarily in stormy, 
dark nights, on bad roads, bye paths, pole bridges, or 
none at all, trees and bushes sweeping across the way. 
Add to these, deer skipping, wolves howling, foxes yel- 
ping, owls screaming ; music not the most agreeable in a 
dark winter's night to a traveller. Before this a few 
years the people had begun to move out and cultivate and 
settle on the wilderness lands, and were necessarily with- 
out roads; by paths of course were used, and to attend 
these scattered settlements for many miles around in their 
sicknesses, was the worst of the practice. Thus it con- 
tinued much the same through all the revolutionary war. 
My professional business commenced in 1773. Dr. John 
Jackson had removed to Portsmouth ; Dr. Alden's prac- 
tice left him ; Dr. Fairfield went into other business ; Dr. 
Cummings was drowned 1 April, 1774 ; thus nearly all 
the practice came under my care. Arundel and Kenne- 



*In 1756, our inhabitants voted to pay Dr. J. Kittredge £8 IO5. 
lawful, "for boarding and dressing of James Treworgy, servant of 
Thos. Dyer's." Bills for horse hire, on account of Treworgy, were 
agreed to be paid at the same time. 



272 HISTORY OF 9AC0 

bunk having no physician during the Revolution, that 
practice also fell to me. Anticipating as I did through" 
the year 1774, that the threatening aspect of affairs be- 
tween us and Great Britain would not be soon accom- 
modated, 1 provided for the worst as respected my busi- 
ness and living. Medicines already began to be scarce, 
for none had been imported from the British for several 
months ; having a little credit in Boston and a little cash 
on hand, 1 improved both to the extent of my power, and 
procured medicines of the best quality enough to last ten 
years. Thus stored with these necessaries, having no 
family to support, (and by the by matrimony was scared 
out of the land, few or none dared undertake it,) [ was 
placed in easy circumstances, for that day at least. At 
that time Hollis, Lyman, Alfred, and the country round 
was wilderness ; some few scattering settlements were 
beginning to be made in those places." 

Dr. Porter was married, 1777, to Paulina, second 
daughter of Richard King, Esq. of Scarboro'. Of their 
twelve children, born in Biddeford, four are now decea- 
sed, one of whom, Moses, graduated at Harvard Coll. 
1799, died 1802. The Doctor built, 1785, the house 
now occupied by Mr. James Maxwell, at first consis- 
ting of two stories, to w^hich a third was added 1800. 

Dr. Josiah Fairfield, a cousin of the minister, came to 
Pepperrellboro' about 1770. He soon relinquished the 
practice of medicine for mercantile business, and during 
the war was engaged in fitting out privateers. Dr. Fair- 
field purchased the house formerly Dr. White's, where 
he lived, "respected and useful," in the words of his 
epitaph, "as a man, a physician and a magistrate." He 
died of consumption 1794, aged forty seven years. 

The principal magistrate in Biddeford, at that period, 
was Hon. Rishworth Jordan, who lived in the lower part 
of the town, in the house now occupied by his youngest 
son, R. T. Jordan, Esq. Early in the war, he was raised 
to the bench of the Court of Common Pleas, of which 
he subsequently became chief jut-tice, and was univer- 
sally esteemed for his able and upright discbarge of the 
duties of that ofl^ce. For more than half a century, 
Judge Jordan took an active and prominent part in the af- 



AND BIDDEFORD. 273 

fairs of the town, enjoying the unlimited respect and con- 
fidence of the inhabitants. He married Abigail, daugh- 
ther of Col. Timothy Gerrish, of Kittery, 1742. Of 
their ten children, six were daughters ; Olive, the eldest, 
was married to Dr. Daniel Peirce, a physician, of Kittery, 
1765 ; Abigail, to William Vaughan, Esq. of Portsmouth, 
1768; Sarah, to Capt. Paul Junkins, of York, 1769; 
Mary, to Col. Joseph Morrill, now of Saco, 1772 ; Eliza- 
beth, to Mr. Benjamin Nason, jr. of Peppo. 1784 ; Jane, 
to Mr. William Shannon of Dover, N. H. 1809. Capt. 
Junkins removed to Pepperrellboro', and lived in a house 
nearly opposite that of Josiah Calef, Esq., where the old 
road from Gray's met the ferry road. The point in the 
river previously called Pipe Stave, was known as Jun- 
kins's point after the captain settled in that vicinity. Judge 
Jordan died 1808, in the 89th year of his age ; having 
survived Capt. S. Jordan, his father, sixty six years.* 

A great improvement was made prior to the revolu- 
tion in the facilities of communication between the two 
towns, by the laying out of new roads and the erection 
of bridges across the river. Travellers continued to ford 
the mouth of Kennebunk river, and to take advantage of 
the seashore, where it was practicable, until all apprehen- 
sion of danger from the Indians was removed. The road 
to Kennebunk-port, which strikes the Winter Harbor road 
near the lower meetinghouse in Biddeford, was laid out 
about 1750 ; and it was not until several years after that 
date, that the present mail route to Kennebunk was at- 
tempted. The dense and long extent of forest, formerly 
known as "Saco woods," through which it must have 
necessarily passed, prevented the early laying out of this 
road ; and until a comparatively recent period, the stories 
of wolves, wildcats, and even catamounts, reputed to have 
attacked individuals in those formidable woods, have occa- 
sioned some uneasiness to the timid traveller. f 

*The mother of the Judge, we have reason to suppose, was a grand- 
daughter of Edw. Rishworth,Esq. of York. Mr. Rishworth died 
1691, having been an inhabitant of Maine about fifty years. See a- 
bove, pp. 119, 128. 

tWolves appear to have annoyed the inhabitants down to a com- 
paratively recent period. As late as 1786, the following vote was 
passed in town meeting ; "Voted ttj allow any person belonging to 
24 



274 HISTORY OF SACO 

The first Bridge over any part of Saco river was 
built with the proceeds of a Lottery, granted by an act 
of the General Court passed 1757.* An advertisement 
appeared in the Boston Gazette 1758, announcing the 
First Class of the Lottery to be drawn at York, in May, 
the following year, when the drawing took place. 
The bridge was built a short time after the passage of 
the act, before the completion of the drawings, and cros- 
sed the branch of the river on the east side of the island 
above the present one from Maine street, as already no- 
ticed. The small, old-fashioned shop of Mr. John Scam- 



the town of Pepperrellboro' 305. for all grown Wolves that shall be 
killed within the bounds of saidPeppo. and 15s. for wolves' whelps.'" 

*The act is as follows : — 
"An ACT for raising the sumof One Thousand two Hundred Pounds 

by Lottery, for building and maintaining a Bridge over iSaco and 

Presumpscot Rivers in the County of York. 

Whereas the Eastern Part of said County of York has been for- 
merly broke up by the Enemy, and the getting Troops to their relief 
is extreamly difficult, if not impracticable, in some Seasons of the 
year, there being no passing in boats or any other way over the 
Rivers of Saco and Presu'.npscot and the building a Bridge over said 
River will be of Public Service — 

Be it therefore Enacted by the Governor, Council and House of 
Representatives, that Sir William Pepperell, Baronet, Daniel Moul- 
ton, Edward Milliken, Joseph Sayer, and Rushworth Jordan, Esq. 
Messrs. Benjamin Chadbourn and Stephen Longfellow, or any three 
of them, be and hereby are allowed and Impowered to Set up and 
Carry on a Lottery or Lotteries which shall amount to such a sum as 
by deducting Ten per Cent, out of each Prize will raise the sum of 
One Thousand Two Hundred Pounds to be applied by them, or any 
three of them, towa-ds building and maintaining a good and suffi- 
cient Bridge over each of said Saco and Presumpscot Rivers, at or 
near the lower Falls of said Rivers, and for defraying the necessary 
Char;jfes of the Lottery aforesaid, and the said Sir William Pepperell, 
Daniel Moulton, Edward Milliken, Joseph Sayer, Rushworth Jordan 
Esqs,, Benjamin Chadbourn, and Stephen Longfellow, or any three 
of them may, and hereby are impowered to make all necessary Rules 
for the regular Proceeding therein, and shall be sworn to the faithful 
discharge of their Trust aforesaid and be answerable to the owners 
of the Tickets and for any deficiency or misconduct ; and that Mo- 
nies so raised shall be applied for the uses and purposes aforesaid and 
no other, and if the sum raised shall be more than Sufficient (after 
paying of the Charges of the Lottery) to build the said Bridges, the 
Surplusage shall be lodged in the hands of the Treasurer of the 
County of York, to l»e drawn out and applied towards Repairs of the 
said Bridges." Records Gen. Court. The highest prize, $1000, in 
this Lottery, is said to have been drawn by Mr. Ebenezer Ayer. It 
was probably the highest in the first class. The price of ticket^ was 
two dollars. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 275 

man, stands on the lower side of the former road, where 
it met the bridge. In 1772, the following vote was pass- 
ed by the District or town : "Whereas the Lottery Bridge 
in Peppo. so called, is out of repair, and the inhabitants 
of said District are presented for the same, and said pre- 
sentment is depending at the next Superior Court at York, 
it is voted that if said [)resentment should go against said 
District, to carry the cause to the Gen. Court for redress," 
&;c. It does not appear that the bridge was put in com- 
plete repair, although it continued to be passed until 
swept away by the great freshet of 1785. A 'daughter 
of Mr. Andrew Bradstreet, four years of age, fell through 
an opening in this bridge, and was drowned, Oct. 22, 
1779. She floated down to the brink of the Fall, when 
her clothes caught in a slab, and she remained suspen- 
ded a minute or more ; means were mstantly taken by 
persons in the mill to rescue her from the perilous situa- 
tion, but at the moment when there was a prospect of 
success, a floating piece of wood struck against the slab 
by which she hung, and precipitated the little sufferer in- 
to the abyss below. 

After the Lottery bridge was carried away, another 
was built on nearly the same spot, by Col. Cutts, with 
the assistance of the town, on which toll was taken from 
strangers. The town contributed £100, as it appears by 
the following votes passed 16 January, 1786 (when a 
meeting was holden at the public house of John Cleaves) : 
"1 Voted to assist in building a bridge across the stream 
on the east side of Indian island. 2. To raise £100 by 
the freeholders and inhabitants of Pepperrellboro' to be 
laid out towards the building a bridge across the stream 
on the eastern side of Indian island, and where the Lot- 
tery bridge was built, and on condition the inhabitants of 
said P. have free liberty to pass over said bridge when 
built, also over a bridge on the west side of said island, 
when built, free from all charge as long as said bridges 
shall remain, the aforesaid sum to be paid in lumber at 
the market price," &ic. A committee for attending to 
this subject was then appointed, consisting of Capt. Jos. 
Bradbury, Col. Humphry Pike, and deacon S. Scam- 
nian. The bridge built at that time, remained about 



276 HISTORY OF SACO 

twenty years, when it having become decayed and unsafe, 
the present one was erected by Col. Cutts. The di- 
rection of the road was at the same time altered. 

The first bridge on the west side of the island was 
erected by Col. Ciitts, deacon Chase, Thos. Gillpatrick 
jr., and Benj. Nason, 1767. The next year, the General 
Court passed an act, "making the bridge lately built over 
the west branch of Saco river, from Biddeford side to In- 
dian island, a toll bridge." Col. Cutts soon after bought 
out Chase and Nason ; hence it was commonly known 
as Cutts's bridge. Col. Tyng, who owned the ferry way 
on the west side, strongly opposed the erection of this 
bridge, but-; the inhabitants of both towns considered it 
as a most valuable improvement, and highly applauded 
the enterprising proprietors. The freshet of 1785 proved 
fatal to the bridge, but another was immediately built by 
Col. Cults at the same place, where the western free 
bridge now stands. 

Two roads were laid out in Pepperrellboro', 1774 ; 
one in the lower part of the town, "from Old Orchard to 
the County road that leads from the lower ferry, so call- 
ed, to Saco Falls." The other, "from Saco Falls up 
Saco river, and by said river as far as David Sayer'sland, 
and across said land," now called the Boom road, in lay- 
ing out which the selectmen began "on the mill privilege 
between Robert Bond's house and Humphry Pike's shop, 
and at the County road that leads from the Lottery 
bridge to Scarboro'," Col. Pike's blacksmith shop was 
nearly where that of Mr. John Billings now stands, and 
Mr. Bond's house was situated on the corner above. 
David Sawyer was settled near the boom, where his son^ 
the late Abner Sawyer, sen. has since lived. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 



CHAPTER VII. 



277 



Great unanimity prevailed in both towns on the subject 
of the differences with the mother country. The lead- 
ing individuals were staunch whigs, and defended to the 
fullest extent the measures taken by the provincial con- 
gress, cutting off all intercourse with Great Britain. The 
following Resolutions, probably drawn by Mr. Sullivan, 
express a tone of determination, which shows that great 
as the sacrifice might be, the inhabitants were early pre- 
pared to bear their part in the unequal struggle. 

"At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Bid- 
deford the 30th Day of July, 1774 — Resolved, 

1st. Whereas the Parliament of Great Britain has for 
the Express purpose of raising a Revenue, and an Un- 
constitutional Tax, on the English American Colonies, 
made Several Acts highly Distressing to said Colonies in 
General and this Province in Particular ; by which Acts 
the Metropolis of this Province is Blocked up and dis^ 
tressed : the Civil Government of the Province Altered 
(as far as by said Act it can be) in the most Material and 
priviledged Points thereof: and particularly the Invalua- 
ble Right of a Trial by an uncorrupted Jury Intirely 
Destroyed : 

2d. Therefore Resolved, that the Inhabitants of this 
Town now Assembled will in a Resolute, Manly and de- 
termined manner, pursue all such Legal and Constitutional 
methods as shall by the other Towns in this Province be 
thought Conducive to the restoration of our Natural 
Rights as Men and our Political Rights as Englishmen, 
and that no Inconvenience however Injurious to the pri- 
vate Interest of any of us, shall be a Sufficient cause to 
break this Resolution : And whereas the Committee of 
Correspondence for the Town of Boston has Transmitted 
to us Papers to be Signed by the Inhabitants of this 
Town, Which Papers contain certain Covenant Oaths and 
Agreements that the Subscribers thereto Shall break off 
all Commercial Intercourse with the Island of Great 
Britain until the Oppressive Acts aforesaid are totally 
Repealed : and the Inhabitants of this Town being very 
24* 



278 HISTORY OF SACO 

Sensible that there is no Method yet Pointed out which 
tends so much to the advancing the Opulence of this 
Country and happy Extrication of it from its present dif- 
ficulties and Distresses as the Universal Coming into and 
the Religious Observation of those Covenant Oaths and 
Agreements, or Others Somewhat Similar thereto : 

3d. It is Therefore Resolved that if the Committee 
appointed by the late Honourable House of Represen- 
tatives of this Province to meet the Delegates of the other 
Colonies in General Congress at Philadelphia or Else- 
where, And the other Members of said Congress, shall 
Advise to a Universal Withdrawment of our Commerce 
with the Island of Great Britain until the aforesaid Op- 
pressive Acts of Parliament shall be Repealed, we will ^ 
strictly Adhere thereto. And as our Dependance under \' 
God is chiefly placed in the Steady pursuance of such 
wise Measures as Shall be Recommended by the Con- 
gress — 

We Therefore Resolve that whatever Measure shall 
be by said Congress Advised to and Complied with by 
the Majorhy of the other towns in this Province, shall be 
Literally and Strictly adhered to by us — 

And we further Resolve that if any Person among us 
shall Demean himself Contrary to any Plan that shall 
be Laid for our Deliverance by the Congress and agreed 
to by this and the Majority of the other Towns in the 
Province, we will have no Society, Trade or Commerce 
with such Person, But will Esteem and Treat him as an 
Enemy to his Country. — Attest, 

RisHwoRTH Jordan, Town ClerkJ'^ 

At a subsequent meeting, 22 Dec. 1774, a committee 
of safety and inspection was appointed, composed of 
Rishworth Jordan, Esq. James Sullivan, Esq., Capt. Benj. 
Hooper, Thomas Gillpatrick, Capt. James P. Hill. Mr. 
Sullivan was chosen, at the same time, Delegate to the 
Provincial Congress, and empowered to correspond with 
the neighboring towns. It was also voted, "that the Dele- 
gate inform the Congress that his Constituents think best 
to keep their own money to form a magazine of their own 
for their own defence. Resolved, that R. Jordan, J. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 279 

Sullivan, B. Hooper, James Carlisle, Thomas Gillpatrick, 
Benj. Staples, Allison Smith, Josiah Stimpson, Jere. Hill 
jr. Simon Wingate, James Staples, Aaron Porter, Jere- 
miah Cole, be a committee to provide a town stock of 
six half barrels of Powder, 5 cwt. of lead, and a suffi- 
ciency of flints, according to the number of persons in 
the Train band and Alarm list in said town, four barrels 
of which powder, and the whole of the lead and flints 
are to be kept entire until the Town shall otherwise order, 
or it shall become necessary to deliver the same to the 
said persons in the Train band or Alarm list. Also, Re- 
solved, that the said committee dispose of the other two 
half barrels of powder at a reasonable price to such of 
the inhabitants of the town as have a mind to purchase 
the same with ready cash, to use it in defence of their 
Country. Voted unanimously. Attest, James Sullivan, 
Moderator." 

Mr. Sullivan represented the town in the Provincial 
Congress until 1776, when he was appointed a justice of 
the Superior Court. Soon after that time, he removed 
his family to Groton, Mass. A profound respect was ever 
entertained by our inhabitants for the character and ta- 
lents of Mr. Sullivan from the period of his first settle- 
ment among them as a young attorney. He was himself 
ready to acknowledge, at a late date, when holding a high 
and enviable rank among his contemporaries, the obh'ga- 
tions which their favor had imposed on him. "] have 
a grateful remembrance," he says in a letter to Col. Tris- 
tram Jordan, "of the marks of confidence, and the acts of 
kindness done me by the people on your river, and wher- 
ever I can reciprocate their goodness, I shall cheerfully 
do it." The patriotic views of Mr. Sullivan, ably and 
eloquently expressed, on the commencement of liostili- 
ties with Great Britain, materially assisted in securing a 
united support of the war, and a harmony and concert of 
action in both towns. The Rev. Mr. Morrill was ardent- 
ly engaged in the same cause. This gentleman, in the 
language of one indmately associated with him at that 
period, "was a superior man ; of a deportment noble and 
dignified, seldom equalled, and never surpassed in this 
quarter. To this was added a capacity fully correspon- 



280 HISTORY OF SACO 

ding ; intelligent, easy of access, and communicative, lie 
ranked high as a scholar, as a divine, and as a statesman. 
In such a melancholy season as our struggle for indepen- 
dence, considering the general weakness or ignorance of 
the people, the value of such a man was incalculable. 
So deep an interest did he take in that all important con- 
cern, as a statesman, he spared no pains to guide every 
one into the right way, nor did he fail in this. To his 
long standing there, and the confidence of the people in 
him, was it owing in a great measure, that the principles 
of independence were easly disclosed and generally em- 
braced. A remarkably close and friendly intercourse be- 
tween Mr. Morrill and Mr. Sullivan, uniting their exer- 
tions, bore down all opposhion." 

The committee of Correspondence, Inspection and 
Safety, in Biddeford, 1776, was composed of Benj. Na- 
son, Jonathan Smith, Joseph Morrill, John Dyer and 
Amos Gordon. The following order of the Mass. Coun- 
cil, accompanied by a copy of the Declaration of In- 
dependence, was received and complied with at this 
time : "In Council, July 17,1776. Ordered, that the 
Declaration of Independence be printed ; and a Copy 
sent to the Ministers of each Parish, of every Denomina- 
tion, within this State ; and that they Severally be re- 
quired to Read the same to their respective Congrega- 
tions, as soon as Divine Service is ended, in the Afternoon, 
on the first Lord's Day after they shall have received it : 
And after such Publication thereof, to deliver the said 
Declaration to the Clerks of their Several Towns, or 
Districts ; Who are Hereby Required to Record the 
same in their respective Town or District Books, there 
to Remain as a perpetual Memorial thereof. In the 
name and by Order of the Council. R. Derby, Presi- 
dent." 

The following year, 1777, the Committee of Corres- 
pondence consisted of James Sullivan, Esq. Jos. Morrill, 
Obed Emery, Jos. Tarbox, and James Emery. Thomas 
Cutts, Esq. represented both towns in the Provincial 
Congress. Colonel Cutts was devotedly attached to 
the cause of the Revolution, notwithstanding his private 
interest suffered by the war to a very great extent ; for- 



AND BIDDEEORD. 281 

tunately for the country, the zealous whigs of that day 
considered their personal losses as light in the scale, when 
weighed against the sacred rights and cherished princi- 
ples, in defence of which they took up arms. The first 
Committee of Correspondence chosen in Pepperrellbo- 
rough, 9 Nov. 1774, was composed of Tristram Jordan, 
Esq. deacon Amos Chase, Paul Junkins, James Foss, 
and James Scamman. Messrs. Cutts and Junkins were 
appointed, at the same time, "Delegates for a County 
Congress." A separate Committee of Inspection was 
raised, "to see that the several Resolves of the Continen- 
tal, Provincial and County Congresses, be complied with 
in said Pepperrellboro'," consisting of T. Jordan, Esq., 
deacon A. Chase, R. Patterson, deacon S. Scamman, 
Jos. Libby, Humphry Pike, and Dominicus Scamman, 
At the March meeting 1775, it was voted "to divide, 
the Militia Company in the District into four separate 
squadrons to exercise half a day, and once in every week, 
for three months to come, and to begin their Exercises at 
2 o'clock in the afternoon and to have a teacher to learn 
them the military art, and said teacher to be paid out of 
the District treasury ; one part to be at the Old Orchard, 
so called ; another to be from Rumery's to the lower 
ferry ; another from said Rumery's up to the head of said 
District (or town,) and the other part at Dunstown so 
called." The last division included the families settled 
on the Scarboro' road, adjoining the parish of Dunston 
in that town. Rumery lived at the corner of the Old 
Orchard and Ferry roads. It was also voted, "to pay 
Jas. Sullivan, Esq. a proportionable part of his time and 
expense as a delegate to the Provincial Congress, with 
the town of Biddeford, for the time passed." The Com- 
mittee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety, the fol- 
lowing year, were T. Jordan, Esq., deacon A. Chase, 
deacon S. Scamman, Joseph Bradbury, and Richard 
Burke. In the summer of 1779, a meeting of the in- 
habitants was called, to see if they would send a rein- 
forcement to the army, when it was agreed, that all those, 
and those only, in the first place shall be drafted, that 
have not been heretofore drafted, and by law are liable 
to be drafted, except Lieut. James Foss's son who has 



282 HISTOBY OF SAGO 

agreed to go into the Continental service, and when any 
persons are drafted and shall pay their fine, said fine shall 
be laid out in hiring men for said Continental service and 
what sum or sums of money may be wanting after the 
fines aforesaid be laid for the purposes aforesaid, the se- 
lectmen shall have full liberty to raise money on the in- 
habitants of Pepperrellborough, in the same manner as 
other public taxes are raised, sufficient to pay what shall 
be wanting to pay the full hire of those men who shall or 
may agree to go into the Continental service for the town 
of Pepperrellborough in consequence of a resolve of the 
Great and General Court made and passed June 9, 1779." 
The next year, Capt. P. Junkins, Elisha Ayer, Nicholas 
Dennet, James Foss, Thomas Dearing, were chosen a 
committee of Safety and Correspondence. And it was 
*'voted to raise £350 for the men raised to go to Cam- 
den, if they go, otherwise to be paid to the treasurer for 
the town service." In October, the town "voted to raise 
money to pay for beef for the army agreeable to a resolve 
of Court." In January, 1781, Messrs. Samuel Boothby 
and James Coffin were appointed "a committee to hire 
six or seven men as soldiers for the army on the town's 
account, and not to exceed $13 with the continental pay, 
per month." The town was required at that time to sup- 
ply the army with eleven thousand and sixty two pounds 
of beef. The last committee of Safety was chosen 1782, 
and consisted of Col. James Scamman, Capt. Joseph 
Bradbury, Lieut. Samuel Chase, Lieut. WilHam Cole, 
and Mr. James Coffin. 

A large proportion of the inhabitants were occasionally 
in the service of the country during the war. Demands 
of men and provisions were constantly occurring, and it is 
believed no towns in this quarter contributed more liber- 
ly to the wants of the army in both particulars. The ex- 
act number of men furnished at different times, cannot 
now be ascertained, the necessary documents having per- 
isfied. The names of all the officers and soldiers, to 
whose contempt of danger, patient endurance of unnum- 
bered evils, and patriotic exertions, the whole country is 
under so great obligation, assuredly deserve to be kept in 
lasting remembrance, and to b^ inscribed in the annals of 



AND BIDDEFOR©. 283 

the towns and parishes to which they may have severally 
belonged. A general history of the war necessarily distin- 
guishes but few of the actors, those only whose elevated 
rank, or signal daring, placed them in situations where 
they could be separated from the mass of heroes. As on 
the field of battle, the solid phalanx, with its principal 
leaders, can alone be discerned ; the individuals compo- 
sing the valiant host sink inglorious, undistinguished, un- 
honored. It thus becomes the grateful duty of the lo- 
cal annalist, whose range is circumscribed, to recall the 
names of the obscurest persons, where it is practicable, 
who "poured dut their blood like water" in a noble 
cause, and award to them the meed of praise which is 
their due. We would it were in our power to discharge 
this sacred obligation in a satisfactory manner, in reference 
to our townsmen, which the deficiency of materials, as al- 
ready noticed, prevents. The names of such as have 
reached us, will, however, be given. 

Col. James Scamman led a regiment to Cambridge 
early in 1775, and remained about one year. This gen- 
tleman was well fitted to shine in the military profession ; 
possessing energy, vigor of mind and body, and a gaiety 
of temper that engaged the goodwill and attachment of 
those under his command. We have been assured 
by persons who served with him, that his bravery could not 
be justly questioned, and yet a misdirection of his regi- 
ment on the memorable 17th of June, has been made 
the occasion of reproach. Col. Scamman received or- 
ders to repair to Bunker hill ; while on the march lear- 
ning that the enemy were landing at Lechmere's point, 
he deemed it his duty to advance on that quarter, and by 
this diversion failed to be in the battle which followed on 
Bunker hill. An investigation of the Colonel's conduct 
soon after took place, before the proper tribunal, when he 
i was honorably acquitted. Attenipts were, however, made 
to injure his reputation, by individuals who aspired to 
his commission, and at the end of the year he resigned. 
Col. Scamman afterwards entered into trade with his 
brother, Mr. Nathaniel Scamman, and built the large 
house now in the rear of Messrs. Scamman &i Andrews' 
stone block, where at that period they both lived. The 



284 HISTORY OF SACO 

latter subsequently built the house now occupied by his 
son, Hon. George Scamman. The Colonel died 1804, 
at the age of sixty four years.* 

Maj. Ebenezer Ayer accompanied Arnold in the ex- 
pedition to Canada, through the wilderness of the Ken- 
nebec, and. was distinguished for his energy and bravery 
at that time. Tt is said he had the courage to saw off the 
pickets of an English fort, to enable the party to scale 
the walls. Maj. Ayer afterwards served in the engineer 
department, with the rank of Major. He did not return 
to Saco on the close of the war. 

The late Jeremiah Hill, Esq. enlisted a company for 
three years' service, which he led to Boston. His bro- 
ther, Daniel Hill, now of Gorham, held the commission 
of ensign. This company joined the regiment of Col. 
Jos. Vose (of Milton) at\^'est Point, r^nd was at the taking 
of Burgoyne, Octo. 1777. Capt. Hill returned at the 
expiration of one year, having resigned his commission, j 
In 1779, he was appointed adjutant general of the forces 
sent by the State to Penobscot river. 

The following names are those of non-commissioned 
officers or privates in the continental service from Bid- 
deford. Bellamy Storer, (a brother of the late Capt. 
Seth Storer,) who died at Mount Independence, opposite 
Ticonderoga, 1776. John Hill, a brother of Capt. Hill, 
died of small pox at Brooklyn Fort, Long Island, the 
same year, where a grave stone was erected to his me- 
mory. He was twenty two years of age at the time of 
his death. Jotham Hill, (son to Mr. Ebenezer Hill,) died 
in the course of the war near Albany. John Peirce, 
lived at Limerick after the war. Aaron Gray, lately de- 
ceased, a pensioner under the act of 1818. Noah Smith. 
James Urian. Ezekiel Gillpatrick. John Griffin Davis. 
Samuel Gillpatrick. Nath'l. Gillpatrick. Caleb Spofford, 
died in the war. John Lee. Joseph Linscott. William 



*The following lines fVirnished by the late Hon. Cyrus King, are 
inscribed on his tomb : "A man of infinite jest ; of most excellent 
fancy." 'This stone to strangers may impart 

The place where Scamman lies; 
But every friend consults his heart. 
For there he never dies.' 



AND BIDDEFOR©. 285 

Haley. James Pratt. Sylvanus Knox. Stephen Fletcher. 
Joshua McLucas, died in the war. John Haley, died at 
Mt. Independence. Josiah Davis. The present survi- 
vors are the following : Col. John Smith, now of Hollis, 
a militia officer since the war. Jeremiah Bettis, living at 
Little river, in the lower part of Biddeford, where he 
possesses a handsome estate. Ralph Emery. Philip 
Goldthwaite, keeper of the lighthouse on Wood island, 
Pelatiah Moore. Jos. Staples. Dorainicus Smith. Benj. 
Goodridge. Joseph Hanscomb, now of Buxton. 

From Pepperrellboro' (now Saco,) the following per- 
sons were in the continental service at some period of the 
war. John Googins, killed in the action at Hubbards- 
town, July 7, 1777, the day after the evacuation of Ti- 
conderoga by the American troops. John was in the rear 
guard commanded by Cul. Francis, a very gallant officer, 
who fell in the same engagement. Stephen Sawyer, son 
of David Sawyer, sen., died in the army. John Hoo- 
per, died during the war at Boston. Abiel Beetle, Nicho- 
las Davis, Jonathan Norton, Daniel Bryant, James Scam- 
man, son of Mr. Ebenezer Scamman, John Tucker, 
John Runnels, John Ridlon, John Carll, Eben. Carll, 
Evans Carll, William Carll, (sons of Mr. Robert Carll ; 
the name was often written Kearl.) Levi Foss, Pelatiah 
Foss ; the last fell at Ticonderoga ; sons of Mr. Walter 
Foss. Zechariah Foss, Elias Foss, sons of Mr. Joseph 
Foss. John Duren. Anthony Starbird. William Star- 
bird, died in the army. William Berry. James Evans. 
Samuel Sebastian, died on North river. Joseph Norton. 
Maj. Stephen Bryant, an officer in the militia since the 
war. Josiah Davis. Joseph Richards. Those now liv- 
ing .are : Ephraim Ridlon, Stephen Googins, who enlis- 
ted for the year 1776, and were in the company of Capt. 
Watkins, under Col. Edmund Phinney of Gorham. 
Ephraim enlisted again 1777, in Col. John Crane's regi- 
ment of artillery, and was gone three years, two of which 
he was waiter to Gen. Knox. Thomas Means, under 
Capt. Hart Williams, regiment of Col. Phinney. Solo- 
mon Hopkins. James Edgecomb. Solomon Libby. 

A company was raised Feb. 1776, for a short term of 
service, from Buxton, Arundel, Biddeford, and Pepper- 
25 



9 I 



286 HISTORY OF SACO 

rellboro% commanded by Capt. John Elden, of Buxton. 
The other officers were, 1st Lieut. Amos Towne, of 
Arundel ; 2d Lieut. Samuel Scamman (late deacon) ; 
Ensign Jeremiah Cole, of Biddeford. The subordinate 
officers and privates from Biddeford were the following : 
Moses Bradbury, John Poak, Elijah Littlefield, Peirce 
Bickford, Phineas Mclntire, Thos. Gillpatrick, William 
Nason, John Chase, (now of Saco,) Jona. Stickney, 
Humphry Dyer, Jacob Townsend, Timothy Cole, Jede- 
diah Smith, Eliakim Tarbox, Jona. Smith, John Gillpat- 
rick, Chris. Gillpatrick, Dodivah Bickford, Benj. Wood- 
man. From Pepperrellboro'; Jerathuel Bryant, John 
Muchemore, Daniel Field, David Clark, Abner Sawyer, 
Joseph Norton, Andrew Patterson, David Sawyer, jr. 
James Edgecomb, Robert Bond, Daniel Field jr., Abra* 
ham Patterson, Moses Ayer, John Young, Hezekiah 
Young, Joseph Patterson, Wm. p. Moody, Samuel Den- 
net, John Scamman, Samuel Lowell. The conipany be- 
longed to the regiment of militia under Col. Lemuel 
Robinson. Altho' gone but about two months, they as- 
sisted in the very important and admirably executed ser- 
vice, of fortifying Dorchester heights on the night of! 
March 4. Dr. Thacher, who was in a relief party or- 
dered on the ground the next morning, arrived there at 
the early hour of 4, when, he says, "we found two forts 
in considerable forwardness, and sufficient for a defence 
against small arms and grape shot. The amount of la- 
bor performed during the night, considering the earth is 
frozen eighteen inches deep, is almost incredible. The 
enemy having discovered our works in the morning, com- 
menced a tremendous cannonade from the forts in Bos- 
ton, and from their shipping in the harbor. Cannon shot 
are continually rolling and rebounding over the hill, and 
it is astonishinji; to observe how little our troops are terri- 
fied by them."* 

Several privateers were fitted out from the river during 
the war. The Thrasher, commanded by Capt. Benj. 
Cole, performed two or three cruises, but without accom- 
plishing]; much. The vessel is said to have been partly 

"Military Journal. 47. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 287 

owned in Salem. Mr. Elisha Ayer built a cutter on 
Main street, near the Thornton house, for Mr. Gray, of 
Salem ; she was manned here for the first cruise. Others 
were fitted out at different times, by Col. Morrill and Dr. 
Fairfield. A few prizes were taken by them on the eas- 
tern coast, but of little value. 

To this list of revolutionary worthies, we add the 
names of those citizens who were engaged in the war, 
and have since settled in the towns. Seih Spring, Esq. 
was in the battle of Bunker hill, and continued three 
years in the service. He came to Biddeford about 1780. 
Hon. Joseph Leland was . also at Bunker hill in a 
company from Grafton, Mass. being at that time eighteen 
years of age. Mr. Leland reiYisiriCd in the army through 
the war, having received the commission of ensign at 
twenty, and afterwards that of lieutenant. He came to 
this town soon after the peace. Daniel Granger, Esq. 
from Andover, Mass. was a short time in the continental 
service. Deacon Samuel Woodsum was taken prisoner 
by a party of Indians under Brandt, in New York, and 
was sent to Canada, where he remained until peace took 
place. In 1783, deacon Woodsum bought a piece of 
wild land in the corner of the town, adjoining the river 
and Buxton line, now a very excellent farm. Mr. Ben- 
jamin Simpson, from York, was out during a part of the 
war. He commenced-clearing the well improved estate 
on which he now lives, about 1790.* Capt. Abraham 
Tyler, from Scarboro', (Blue-point,) was in the service 
the last three years of the war. Jesse Whitney was also 
out, and is now a pensioner. Two are deceased : Lieut. 
Moses Banks, from Scarboro', (originally of York,) an 
officer in Phinney's regiment, well known since the war 



*Mr. Simpson assisted in the destruction of the tea at Boston, 16 
December, 1773. At our request he has furnished the following ac- 
count of what he personally witnessed in relation to that affair. "I 
was then an apprentice to a bricklayer, when two ships and a brig 
with tea on board arrived at Boston, with heavy duties, which the 
Bostonians would not consent to pay. The town being alarmed at 
such proceedings, called townmeetings day after day, night aftei' 
night. The captain of the first ship that arrived, went (from the 
townmeeting) to the governor to see if he would give his ship a pass- 
port out by Gastle island. At his return in the evening, (the town 



288 HISTORY OF SACO 

as a skilful surveyor and draughtsman ; he died in Saco, 
1825, aged 92. David Batchelder, who served also in 
the French war, died at Old Orchard, 1828, aged 88. 

The only persons in the two towns who were opposed 
to the war, were Dr. Alden and Capt. Philip Goldth- 
waite. The former was mohbed by a party from Gor- 
ham, consisting of thirty or forty soldiers, at the illjudged 
instigation, it is said, of Col. Phinney and others of that 
place. The men were armed, and having taken the doc- 
tor, placed him in a kneeling posture on a hogshead, in 
front of deacon Scamman's house, then a tavern. In this 
situation, with the soldiers paraded around him, presenting 
their guns to his body, he was required to recant his opin- 
ions, or suffer instant death.' A confession was read to 
him, which he signed, stating that he had done wrong in 
justifying the proceedings of Parliament ; expressing; his 
sorrow for every act of opposition to the whigs of which 
he had been guilty, and promising that in future he would 
be peaceable in his deportment, and aid the cause of 
Liberty as much as was in his power. *'This," he was 



waiting the result of the application,) he was asked the governor's 
answer, which was that he should not grant a pass unless she was 
well qualified from the Customhouse. After the captain reported 
this answer to the meeting, a voice was heard in the gallery, hope^ 
she will be well qualified. The captain was then asked if he would 
take charge of the ship and carry her out of Boston, notwithstandingf 
the refusal of the governor ; to which he answered. No. (A whistle 
in the gallery — call to order.) The meeting was then declared to be 
dissolved, (in the gallery. Every man to his tent !) We repaired to 
the wharf where the ships lay I went on board one or both ships, 
but saw no person belonging to them. In a few minutes a number 
of men came on the wharf, (with the Indian powo?^,) went on board 
the ships then lying at the side of the wharf, the water in the dock 
not more than two feet deep. They began to throw the tea into the 
water which went off with the tide till the tea grounded. We soon 
found there was tea on board the brig •, a demand being made of it, 
the captain told us the whole of his cargo was on board ; that the tea 
was directly under the hatches, which he would open if we would 
not damage any thing but the tea ; which was agreed to. The hatch- 
es were then opened ; a man sent down to show us the tea, which 
we hoisted out. stove the chests, threw tea and all overboard. Those 
on board the ships, did the same. I was on board the ships when the 
tea was so high by the side of them as in fall in ; which was shovel- 
led down more than once. We on board the brig were not disguised. 
I was then 19 years old, am no.v seventy five. — (Signed,) 

Benjamin Simpson." 



AND BIDDEFORD. 289 

compelled to say in conclusion, "I heartily promisCj and 
bind myself to, and am very thankful for my life." He 
was then discharged. The transaction was generally 
disapproved by our Inhabitants, none of whom joined the 
party. Dr. Alden finally removed to Scarboro'. Capt. 
Goldthwaite lived at Winter Harbor, and exercised the 
office of inspector for this port under the provincial 
government. He put himself under British protection as 
soon as the war commenced. His brother, Jos. Goldth- 
waite, Esq. of Boston, is named in the act relating to re- 
fugees, passed 1778. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



A meeting of the inhabitants of Biddeford washolden 
May 22, 1780, "to see if the town would approve, al- 
ter, or reject the new form of Government made by the 
Convention at ^Cambridge, March 2, 1780." The re- 
cord is as follows : "The honorable Rishworth Jordan, 
Moderator. Adjourned to Monday, 29 inst. 2 o'clock 
P. M. Monday, May 29, 1780. Met according to ad- 
journment. Resolved, that there be a form of govern- 
ment set up as absolutely necessary. Resolved, to accept 
the form aforementioned with the following alteration in 
the tenth Article of the second Chapter : All military of- 
ficers ought to be appointed and commissioned by the 
Governor by and with advice of Council ; Except, all 
Aids-de-camp ought to be appointed by their own Maj. 
Generals, Brigade Majors by their Brigadiers or Com- 
mandants of Brigades, Adjutants and Quartermasters by 
their Colonels or Commanding Officers of Regiments, 
and Commissioned by the Governor with advice of Coun- 
cil ; for the following reasons : 1. Because they are liable 
to be under control by being dependent on the soldiers 
for their commissions, *and therefore cannot act free and 
independent. 2. Because they are liable to be degraded 
or superseded in case of a vacancy by the soldiers, if 
25* 



290 HISTORY ©F SACO 

they do not act in conformity to their wills and capri- 
cious humors, without reason or against reason." 

Other towns suggested alterations in like manner, es- 
pecially in regard to the third article of the bill of rights. 
"But their acceptance of the Constitution did not de- 
pend upon the adoption of these amendments. Nor was 
it in the power of the Convention to incorporate them in- 
to the instrument, without another appeal to the people, 
which would not have been judicious."* 

The first election of State officers took place 4 Sept. 
1780. John Hancock was chosen governor four years 
in succession, after which he declined being a candidate 
for the office. The votes in Saco (Pepperrellboro') 1780, 
were, for Hancock 7, for James Bowdoin 3 ; 1781, for 
Hancock 27, for Bowdoin 2 ; 1782-3, all for Hancock. 
The votes in Biddeford the first two years are not recor- 
ded ; 1782, the whole number, 14, were for Hancock. 
The number of votes cast in the county of York, that 
year, for state officers, was 161. Mr. Bowdoin was 
elected governor 1785-6, after which Gov. Hancock was 
again called to the chair, which he filled until his death, 
Octo. 1793. In 1785, (when Gov. Hancock was not a 
candidate,) the whole number of votes in Saco were 
thrown for Gen. Benj. Lincoln ; the next year there was 
a majority for Gov. Bowdoin. In 1794, Samuel Adams 
received a majority of the votes of the town for governor, 
and the two succeeding years the whole number thrown. 
After the resignation of Gov. Adams, 1797, the votes in 
Saco stood, for James Sullivan 52, for Increase Sumner 
2. The next year, (Mr. Sullivan having withdrawn,) 
Gov. Sumner had a majority. 

There was no choice of senators in York County 1780 ; 
the four highest candidates were Edw. Cutts, of Kittery, 
Benjamin Cliadbourne, of Herwick, Nathaniel Wells, of 
Wells, and Rishworth Jordan, of Biddeford ; of whom 
the two former were elected by the Legislature. At sub- 
sequent periods, Saco has furnished four members of the 
Mass. Senate, viz. Col. Tristram Jordan, 1787 ; Joseph 
Bartlett, 1804; Joseph Leland,' 1805 and 1808; Col. 
William Moody, 1812-19. 



^Bradford. Hist. Mass. ii. 186. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 29J 

Col. Jordan, whose early settlement at the Falls has 
been noticed, removed to his estate at Deep-brook about 
the close of the revolutionary war, where he died 1821, 
at the age of ninety years. He was eminently the father 
of the town ; no other individual was so often entrusted 
with the direction of its affairs, or exercised an equal de- 
gree of influence durins; the early period of its separate 
incorporation. He was at the same time distinguished 
for his private enterprise and assiduous attention to busi- 
ness. Having been engaged when a young man in sever- 
al short voyages, he received the offer of an European 
ship, before he became of age, which he declined, not 
choosing to follow the sea. One of his trips to Halifax, 
N. S. is worthy of notice. That town was laid out, and 
its settlement commenced, 1749, under the direction of 
Col. Cornwailis, the governor of the colony. Three hun- 
dred houses were built the first year,* of which the ma- 
terials were partially supplied from this quarter. Young 
Jordan was employed in this business, and on one occa- 
sion took out with him the frame of the first church erec- 
ted in Halifax, which he had contracted with Cornwailis 
to furnish. The timber was from Deep-brook. At a 
later date, Col. Jordan was best known as a magistrate, 
having performed the greater part of the duties devolving 
on a justice of the peace, for the east side of the river, 
until quite advanced in life. His first wife, died 1775; 
their children were two sons and seven daughters. Of the 
latter, Elizabeth, the eldest, was married to William Vau- 
ghan, Esq. of Scarboro', afterwards of Portland, 1772; 
Sarah, to Mr, Nathaniel Scamman 1775 ; Hannah, to 
Capt. Solomon Coit, the same year, and after his decease, 
to James Perkins, Esq. of Kennebunk-port, 1797 ; Olive, 
to Capt. Seth Storer, 1776 ; Mary, to Daniel Granger, 
Esq. 1792. Capts. Coit and Storer were eminent ship- 
masters at a period when the art of navigation was not 
so generally understood as at the present time. The for- 
mer built the house now occupied by Capt. Samuel 
Hartley. Col. Jordan was twice married after the de- 
cease of his first wife, and left two sons and a daughter 
by the last connection. 

*Haliburton. Hist. N. Scotia, ii. 12. 



292 HISTORY OF SAGO 

The second gentleman who was elected to the Senate 
from Saco, Joseph Bartlett, Esq. the eccentric author of 
"Aphorisms" &ic. practised law several years in town, at 
first with good reputation. The year in whiah he was' 
chosen senator, Mr. Bartlett received nearly all the votes 
in Saco, and a large majority in Biddeford. He remo- 
ved afterwards to Portsmouth, N. H. A singularly con- 
structed, but not inelegant house, which he built, stan- 
ding near the site of the old Ferry house, remains a 
characteristic monument of its projector. Mr. Bartlett 
was supposed to be the conductor of the "Freeman's 
Friend," a newspaper published in town 1805-6, by 
Mr. William Weeks. He was undoubtedly the principal 
contributer to its columns. 

The services of Col. William Moody in the Mass, 
Senate, were continued through eight successive terms. 
The general support which he received from the towns 
in the county, is sufficient evidence of the high estima- 
tion in which he was held as a public man. His father, 
William Pepperell Moody, came to this town from Kit- 
tery, and was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. 
Samuel Scamman, 1763. William was born July 10, 
1770, and was seventeen years of age at the time of his 
father's decease. He enjoyed no further advantages of 
education than were afforded by the common district 
schools ; of the full benefit of even these, he was partial- 
ly deprived by the early necessity of applying to a means 
of support. His f^ither and grandfather were joiners by 
occupation; the latter, Mr. E<lmimd Moody, was the ar- 
chitect of the first meetinghouse in Saco, as already sta- 
ted ; and the former early initiated his son in the sam6 
business, which he ever after pursued. Col. Moody re- 
presented the town in the Le2;islature eight years in suc- 
cession, from 1804 to 1812 ; and during that period, and 
the succeeding eight years, in the other branch, he be- 
came by the force of native intellect alone, without the 
benefit of early cjiltivation, a prominent and highly use- 
ful member of that body. In the Convention by which 
the Constitution of Mnine was formed, havinij been elec- 
ted one of the delegatf^s from Saco, Col. Moody often 
took part in the debates, and was distinguished for the 



AND BIDDEFORD. 293 

ease and clearness with which he expressed his views* 
He was returned a member of the first Senate of Maine, 
and presided over its deliberations after the resignation of 
Gen. Chandler. About the same time he was appointed 
Sheriff of York County. His death occurred suddenly, 
March 15, 1822, while he was in the midst of life and 
usefulness, and was universally lamented. 

In the course of the war, Feb. 9, 1778, died the Rev. 
Moses Morrill. The names of his children, born 1744-76, 
are the following : Samuel Jordan, John, Joseph, Sarah, 
Hannah, Olive, Mary, Elizabeth, Tristram, Abigail, Tris- 
tram, Nahuin, and Moses. He was succeeded in the 
ministry by the Rev. Nathanael Webs^ter. The or- 
dination of this gentleman took place April 14, 1779, 
The town voted him a salary of £75, to be paid in the 
following manner : 45 bushels of corn, at 45. ; 4 bushels 
rye, at 5s. ; 400 lbs. pork, at 5d. ; 50 lbs. wool, at is. 
8d. ; 50 lbs. flax at 8^. ; 100 lbs. butter at 8^; 4046 
lbs. beef at 20^. per cwt. ; 1 quintal fish 2ls. ; 2 tons 
good English hay at £3. The salary was soon after 
raised to £80, ($266,66.) A separate parish, called the 
Second Religious Society in Biddeford, was incorporated 
1797. The principles on which this society was formed, 
were professedly liberal, as the following article from 
its Rules and Regulations sufficiently shows : "To pre- 
vent all religious disputes respecting doctrines, as every 
Christian, or religious Society, has an undoubted right to 
put his or their construction upon the Scriptures, a point 
of Orthodoxy, or a mere Article of faith, shall never be 
a fit subject to lay before any council, reference, or any 
description of Men whatever." The upper meeting- 
house was built by the Society at that time. The first 
regular pastor was the Rev. John Turner, previously 
of Alfred, who was installed 1808. Mr. Turner remai- 
ned until 1817, when his connexion with the Society 
was dissolved. In the year 1823, the Rev. Thomas 
Tracy, from Cambridge, came to Biddeford, and preach- 
ed several sabbaths so much to the satisfaction of the 
Society, that a call was soon after given him to setde 
with them for the term of five years ; which he accepted, 
arjd was ordained Jan. 14, 1824. Many of the most 



294 HISTORY OF SACO 

efficient members of the society were resident in Saco^ 
and on the formation of the Second Parish in this town, 
it was agreed that Mr. Tracy should transfer to it his 
pastoral care. He was accoidingly installed in Saco, 
Nov. 21, 1827. The meetinghouse was dedicated at the 
same time. It is a handsome edifice, 76 feet in length 
by 46 in breadth ; biiilt on contract by Mr. John John- 
son. Mr. Tracy's connection with the Parish was dis- 
solved in the autumn of 1828. 

An act of incorporation was obtained by the First Par- 
ish in Biddeford, 1798. The Rev. Mr. Webster was 
invited to continue the pastor, and accepted. In 1825, 
he consented to have a colleague, and, Octo. 26, Rev. 
Jonathan Ward, jr. of Plymouth, N. H. was ordained. 
Mr. Ward died early the following year. He was suc- 
ceeded, on a temporary engagement, by Rev. D. D. 
Tappan, now of Alfred. In January, 1828, the present 
pastor. Rev. Christopher Marsh, was ordained, and 
receives a united support from members of both Parishes, 
preaching alternately in the two churches. After the set- 
tlement of Rev. Mr. Marsh, the senior pastor withdrew 
from the labors of the ministry, in which he had been 
so long and happily engaged, and took up his residence^ 
with a son in law in Portland. He died 8 March, 1830, 
aged eighty one years. Mr. Webster was born at King- 
ston, N. H. and graduated at Harvard Coll. 1769. Two 
of his sermons have been printed, one of which, deliver- 
ed before a convention of ministers at Buxton, 1815, in- 
culcates the sufficiency of the scriptures, independent of 
creeds, as a standard of religious faith. The character 
of Mr. Webster was that of a cheerful and benevolent " 
man ; by the practice of the social virtues, in which he 
excelled, he attached to himself the best affections of his 
people. 

The ministerial labors of the Rev. Mr. Fairfield were 
continued during a period of thirty six years. "On 
April 2, 1798, at his repeated request," as it appears from 
a record of that datp, "a perfect harmony subsisting be- 
tween him and the People, he was disniissed from the 
work of the ministry in Pepfierrellboro', by the People, 
at their meeting on that day." Mr. Fairfield performed 



AND BIDDEFORD. 



t^ 



in a diligent and satisfactory manner the duties which de- 
volve on a pastor and teacher. Possessing a thorough 
acquaintance with the sacred volume, he infused its spirit 
into his discourses, which were prepared with the utmost 
care, and. in point of style, were not unworthy his repu- 
tation as a scljolar. During his ministry the number of 
baptisms was 778 ; of admissions to the covenant, 177 ; 
to full church membership, 9. The exactness with which 
Mr, Fairfield recorded the memoranda from which the 
above statement is gathered, and oihers of a similar char- 
acter, shows that he was not inattentive to the smallest 
clerical duty. The records which he has thus left, rela- 
ting to the people of his parish, are minute and extremely 
valuable. Mr. Faii field residt.d in Biddeford several 
years prior to his decease ; he died 16 December, 1819, 
aged eighty three years. His funeral was attended by 
the neighboring clergy ; prayers were offered on the oc- 
casion by Rev. Mr. Lancaster, of Scarboro' ; and a ser- 
mon delivered by Rev. Mr. Webster. Jn concluding ^his 
brief and imperfect notice of the gentlemen to whom 
our inhabitants for so long a period looked up for advice 
and directiot^ in their religious, moral, and even tempo- 
ral concerns, we cannot refrain from noticing the fact that 
their relations with each other were ever of the most 
friendly character. No root of bitterness seems to have 
sprung up to mar the pleasures of a constant intercourse 
on terms of the strictest intimacy. Messrs. Morrill and 
Fairfield invariably passed one day in seven together, du- 
ring the time in which they were fellow laborers in the 
work of the ministry. Their houses were situated on not 
very remote points of the river, and usually on Monday 
morning of each week one of them crossed alone in a boat, 
to pass the day with his friend. With the successor of 
Mr. Morrill, an intercourse equally cordial was maintai- 
ned by Mr. Fairfield, which terminated only with life. 
A similar remark may be extended to the other neighbo- 
ring ministers, whose mutual friendship was undisturbed 
by professional jealousies, or the agitation of doctrinal 
disputes. Mr. Webster has been often heard to say, that 
in former times there was not a clergyman between his 
parish and Boston with whom he was not enabled to ex- 



296 HISTORY OP SACO 

change ; such was the harmony then existing in the re- 
ligioLis community. 

Mr. Elihu Whitcomb, a graduate of Harvard Coll. 
1793, was ordained successor to Mr. Fairfield, 3 July, 
1799. The discourse on this occasion, afterwards prin- 
ted, was delivered by Rev. Nathaniel Thayer, D D. of 
Lancaster, Mass. The present spacious meetinghouse 
of the First Parish was erected during the ministry of INlr. 
Whitcomb, who preached at its dedication, Feb. 12, 
1806. The discourse was printed. The edifice was re- 
garded as the largest and most elegant in Maine for a 
considerable period. Its dimensions are 90 feet in length 
by 54 in breadth ; the spire 126 feet in height. The cost 
was estimated at $18000. The building committee, of 
the proprietors were deacon S. Scamman, Foxvvell Cutts, 
Esq. Capt. Seth Storer, James Gray, Esq. and Mr. Ed- 
mund Moody. The master builder was Mr. Bradbury 
Johnson. The old house (which was 54 by 40 feet,) 
served several years the purpose of a townhouse. 

Mr. Whitcomb discontinued preaching in the summer 
of 1810. He was succeeded by Rev. Jonathan Cogs- 
well, from Rowley, Mass. a graduate of Harvard Coll. 
1806. The ordination of Mr. Cogswell took place 24 
Octo. 1810; sermon by the late Rev. Dr. Appleton, 
president of Bowdoin Coll. ; charge by Rev. Paul Cof- 
fin, D. D. of Buxton ; right hand of fellowship, by Rev. 
John Turner, of the Second Parish in Biddeford. Mr. 
Cogswell sustained his connexion with the town for fifteen 
years, at the expiration of which period the society 
was constituted a distinct parish. In October, 1828, in- 
duced by the failure of his health, Mr. Cogswell resign- 
ed his pastoral relation, after a laborious and successful 
ministry of nearly eighteen years. He is now happily 
settled in the town of New Britain, Conn. The present 
pastor of the First Parish, the Rev. Sami el Johnson, a 
graduate of Bowdoin Coll. 1817, was installed Nov. 5, 
1828. 

About the year 1782, a few converts were made in the 
north part of the town, to the religious belief of the 
Freewill Baptists, under the preaching of Elders 
Randall and Hubbard. The number was not much in- 



AND BIDDEPORD. 297 

creased until 1808, when a church consisting of 85 mem- 
bers, was organized. The present meetinghouse, 44 by 
36 feet, was erected the following year ; its distance from 
the Falls is about six miles. The society was incorpo- 
rated 1811. Elder George Parcher was qualified as 
a preacher in 1810, and has continued from that time to 
the present, the staled minister of the society. 

A Calvanistic Baptist Society, composed of families 
in Buxton and the upper part of Saco, was incorpora- 
ted 1807. A meetinghouse had been built five years 
before, which stands on the line dividing the two towns. 
The Rev. Abner Flanders formerly preached alternately 
in this house and in Buxton. The dimensions of the 
bouse are 46 by 36 feet. 

In February, 1827, a church of the same denomina- 
tion was formed in the village, under the ministry of Rev. 
Frederic Clarke, consisting originally of seven members ; 
the present number is forty six. The frame of a mee- 
tinghouse, yet unfinished, was raised by this society in the 
fall of 1828. Their meetings are now held in a vestry. 

A class or society of Wesleyan Methodists was for- 
med in Saco, under the preaching of Rev. Asa Heath, 
1804 ; the number, at first about twenty, has increased 
to nearly fifty. The town has been a station only two 
years, having previously formed a part of a Circuit. The 
first methodist sermon preached in Maine, was delivered 
in this place, at the house of Mr. Elisha Ayer, Sept. 10, 
1793, by Rev. Jesse Lee, of Virginia, author of a His- 
tory of Methodism.* 

An Episcopal Society was incorporated March, 1827. 
A church was erected the same year, 65 feet by 46, the 
cost of which, including the land, is estimated at .$4500. 
The exterior of the edifice is in the Gothic style, and ex- 
hibits a handsome appearance. The first minister of this 
denomination in Saco, since the time of the original 
colonists, was the Rev. Eleazer M. P. Wells, now of 
South Boston, under whose temporary labors the society 
was formed. He was succeeded by the Rev. Horatio 
Potter, at present a Professor, and Rev. Samuel Fuller, 

*Greenleaf. Eccl. Sketches. 280. 

26 



298 



HISTORY OF SACO 



a tutor, in Washington Coll. Hartford, Conn. In Feb. 
1829, Rev. Clement F. Jones was instituted Rector, 
but, in consequence of ill health, resigned the situation 
in August following. The Rev. Gideon W. Olney, late 
of Gardiner, has since officiated as Rector. 

The "First Universalist Society of Saco and Bidde- 
ford" was formed in April, 1827, and consisted at that 
time of thirty one members. The Rev. Jacob Wood 
was their minister during one year. 

A site for a Roman Catholic chapel was purchased 
by Father French, and conveyed to the Bishop of Bos- 
ton, in trust for the Catholics of Saco, March, 1827. It 
is on the corner of Elm and North streets (Buxton 
road). No further measures have yet been taken for the 
erection of a church. 



CHAPTER IX, 



The immediate successor of Mr. Sullivan in the prac- 
tice of law at Biddeford, was the late Hon. George 
Thacher, who came about 1782, having previously resi- 
ded a short time at York. On the termination of the 
war, business became once more flourishing on the river, 
and enterprising men from various parts of New England 
removed into this quarter. The interior at the distance 
of a few miles only from the sea, had remained compara- 
tively wild and uncleared, notwithstanding the antiquity 
of the maritime settlements, and the proprietors were just 
beginning to look up their lands, to which the titles in 
many instances going back to a remote period, were not 
established without difficulty. Litigation under these 
circumstances was unavoidable. Mr. Tliacher, who had 
prepared himself for his profession in a very diligent and 
faithful manner, almost immediately entered upon a great 
extent of practice, and became highly popular and suc- 
cessful as an advocate, attending the terms of the courts 
in all the counties of the District. "He had great acute- 



AND BIDDEFORD. 299^ 

ness of mind," says a distinguished cotemporary, in an 
elegant tribute to the memory of our townsman, "much 
law learning, and was able to bring to his aid in argument 
more general knowledge on scientific subjects than any 
of his competitors." In the meantime, before the adop- 
tion of the Federal Constitution, he was chosen by the 
Mass. Legislature a delegate to Congress, and afterwards 
was successively elected by the people a member of the 
house of Representatives in Congress, until 1801, when 
he resigned his seat, and accepted the appointment of an 
associate justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Mass. 
'While in Congress," in the words of the writer already 
quoted, "Judge Thacher was by no means an undistin- 
guished member. The debates of that period will show 
that he took an active part in all the important con- 
cerns of the time, and his speeches will be found to con- 
tain, in the midst of frequent irony and sometimes sharp 
satire, much useful information and sound argument. 

* * * "On the bench of the Supreme Court, Judge 
Thacher was a faithful and upright public servant. His 
mind was well stored with legal principles, and his strong 
memory enabled him to apply them to the question that 
occurred, with great facility. * * * His asssociates upon 
the bench have been often heard to say, that in their con- 
sultations upon cases argued, his discriminating powers, 
sound technical knowledge, and recollection of old cases, 
not reported, have been invaluable to them. His integri- 
ty, independence, impartiality and firmness have been 
surpassed by none who have adorned the seat of justice." 

Judge Thacher was a descendant, of the fourth genera- 
tion, from Anthony Thacher, a planter, who came to 
New England 1635, and was one of three grantees of 
land at Yarmouth, in the Colony of Plymouth, Jan. 7, 
1638-9, vvhere he settled the same year. He died 1668, 
at an advanced age*. His son, Col. John Thacher, of 



* "An Essay for the recording of illustrious Providences," by Dr. 
Increase Mather, contains a letter from Anthony Thacher to his bro- 
ther, Rev. Peter Thacher, of Sarum, Eng. describing the shipwreck 
of himself and family, with many others, on an island near Salem 
harbor, since called Thacher'' s island, 14 Aug. 1035. They had em- 
barked at Ipswich, Mass. for Marblehead, None were saved except 
Mr. f hacher and his wife 



300 HISTOKY OF SACO 

Yarmouth, was elected a member of the provincial Council 
on the union of Plymouth Colony with Mass. Bay, under 
the charter of 1692, and continued in that capacity near- 
ly twenty years. Peter Thacher, the oldest son of the 
Colonel, was appointed a justice of the Court of Com- 
mon Pleas, 1 720 ; he also resided at Yarmouth, where 
his son, Peter Thacher jr. the father of our respected 
townsman, was born and passed his life. He married 
Anner, daughter of Mr. George Lewis, of Barnstable ; 
the Judge was the youngest but one of their eleven chil- 
dren, and was born 12 April, 1754. He was prepared 
for college by Rev. Timothy Hilliard, of Barnstable, af- 
terwards of Cambridge, and graduated at Harvard Coll. 
1776. He pursued the study of law with S. Bourne, 
Esq. of the former town, but was employed as an instruc- 
ter some time before he commenced the practice. Soon 
after settling in Biddeford, he married Sarah, daughter of 
Samuel Phillips Savage, Esq. of Weston, Mass. July 20, 
1784. Mr. Savage, his father in law, had resided in 
Boston before the war, and was among the leading whigs 
of that period. 

On the separation of Maine, Judge Thacher removed 
to Newburyport, where he resided until January, 1824. 
He resigned his office at that titne, and returned to pass 
the remainder of his life, already protracted beyond his 
own anticipations, in that retirement which, in his best 
days, he had sought and loved. He died on the 6 April 
following, and was buried in the graveyard adjoining the 
meetinghouse of the Second Society. His children were 
five sons and five daughters ; of the latter, Lucy Savage, 
wife of the late Col. Abner Sawyer, died Aug. 1820. 
The others survived their father. The house in which 
Judge Thacher lived during nearly the whole period of 
his abode in Biddeford, is situated about one mile west of 
the Falls ; it is a plain, unostentatious dwelling, consisting 
of one story, with nothing about it of an ornamental na- 
ture except a few fir trees of singular beauty. The of- 
fice or study of the Judge was opposite the house, and 
contained his valuable library, which comprised a rare 
collection of legal, philosophical and theological works. 
A part of these he bequeathed to Bowdoin College. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 301 

^rhe habits of the Judge were eminently studious ; in the 
vacations, a book was usually his steady companion. He 
read slowly, and with so perfect an abstraction of the at- 
tention, that he suffered no interruption in the midst of his 
family. He was far, however, from being averse to so- 
ciety ; none surpassed him in the disposition and the 
power to render those around him happy. His company 
was eagerly sought by the young as well as the old, on all 
social occasions, to which his presence added freedom ra- 
ther than restraint. His religious opinions were of a lib- 
eral character ; having formed an acquaintance with Dr. 
Priestly at Philadelphia, during the sessions of Congress, 
he imbibed the theological doctrines taught by that cele- 
brated man, which his subsequent reading had the effect 
to confirm and establish in his mind. The Second So- 
ciety in Hiddeford, one of the earliest in America that 
departed from the standard of strict orthodoxy, (as noti- 
ced in a publication of the late Mr. Belsham, of London,) 
was formed through the influence of Judge Thacher. 

The following additional extract from the able article 
before quoted, gives a no less just than striking view of 
the private and domestic character of this great and 
good man. 

"It is in private life, among his friends and in his family, 
that we are to look for those virtues or blemishes which 
exhibit the real features of moral beauty or deformity 
that make up the character of man. And it is in this de- 
partment that I would chiefly hold up my departed friend 
as an example. His heart was most disinterestedly be- 
nevolent and kind ; all human beings were his friends and 
brothers. He either could not see faults or he would 
not acknowledge them. Even the poor criminal at the 
bar, had sometimes more of his compassion than suited 
the stern demands of justice. He had apologies and 
palliations for every body, and altho' he often indulged 
his natural proneness to satire in the presence of those 
with whom he was called into conflict, no man can re- 
member that he ever said a harsh thing of any one who 
was absent. He had a vein of wit and humour which 
irresistibly propelled him to put into ludicrous shapes the 
arguments and opinions of those with whom he entered 
26* 



302 HISTORY OF SACO 

into the war of words ; but his heart never took side hi 
tjie struggle, and the first appearance of wounded feelings, 
would blunt his weapons and make him give the field to 
his adversary. No better proof can be given of the 
universal admission of the real kindness of his temper 
and feelings, than the fact that those who have been the 
most exposed to the keenness of his controversial talent, 
have been his ardent, most constant, most unshaken 
friends, till his death. In his domestic relations, he had 
no fault unless an excess of kindness and indulgence be 
one. Surrounded by his sons and daughters, and their 
children, and having the government of his family upon 
equal terms with a most exemplary and excellent wife, 
his humble dwelling was the abode of peace, love and 
benevolence. It was also the scene of the most unlinii- 
ted, frugal hospitality, where every human face was re- 
ceived with welcome. Great personages, the President 
of the U. S. and several foreign noblemen, have partaken 
of his hospitality under his roof, and though they saw no- 
thing of pomp, parade, fashion or circumstance there, I 
doubt whether they ever received more favorable im- 
pressions in their visits to the wealthy and powerful." 

The next attorney in Biddeford was George Stacy, 
Esq. who came about 1789, and remained two or three 
years without obtaining much professional business. 

Hon. Prentiss Mellen, the present Chief Justice of 
the Supreme Court of Maine, removed to Biddeford, Ju- 
ly, 1792. Judge Mellen occupied the house now Dr. 
Dean's, and resided in town until February, 1806, 
when he removed to Portland. 

Hon. Samuel Hubbard, of Boston, commenced the 
practice of law in Biddeford, November, 1806. He re- 
moved to Boston, September, 1810. 

Hon. William Pitt Preble, now Minister to the Neth- 
erlands, succeeded Mr. Hubbard. He soon after chan- 
ged his residence to Saco. 

The late Hon. Cyrus King was the first regular at- 
torney in Saco. He was the son of Richard King, Esq. 
a successful merchant, prior to the revolutionary war, in 
Scarboro'. Mr. King married Isabella, daughter of Mr. 
Samuel Bragdon, of York, 1753; this lady died 1759, 



AND BIDDEFOED. 303 

leaving three children, Rufiis, Mary, and Paulina. The 
son was the late distinguished statesnnan of New York ; 
Mary, the eldest daughter, was married to Hon. Robert 
Soulhgate ; Paulina, to Dr. Aaron Porter. Mr. King 
afterwards married Mary^ daughter of Mr. Samuel Black, 
of York ; of their five children, Cyrus was the youngest. 
The father died 1775, at the age of fifty seven. Cyrus 
was prepared for College at Phillips Academy, Andover, 
Mass. and entered Columbia College, in the city of New- 
York, 1790. He graduated with the highest honors of 
the institution, and coinmenced the study of law with his 
brother in that city. When the latter received the ap- 
pointment of Minister to Great Britain, 1796, he went 
out as his private secretary, but desirous of completing 
his professional studies, he returned at the expiration of 
one year, and entered the office of Judge Mellen in Bid- 
deford. He commenced the practice in Saco. In Octo. 
1 797, he was married by Rev. Mr. Fairfield, to Han- 
nah, eldest daughter of Capt. Seth Storer. Posses- 
sing brilliant and highly cuhivated powers of mind, uni- 
ted with habits of patient and zealous application, Mr. 
King soon rose to eminence in the profession. As an ad- 
vocate, he was unrivalled ; his style of speaking was ele- 
vated and commanding ; rich in the higher graces of pol- 
ished oratory, and, at the same time, argumentative and 
convincing. "In the vehemence and gravity of his 
manner," says a Rev. writer, "he resembled rather the 
Grecian than the Roman orator. His addresses were 
more like an impetuous torrent descending from the 
mountains, than a smooth, gentle stream winding its way 
over the plains." In 1812, Mr. King was elected a rep- 
resentative in Congress, and retained his seat until 1816. 
His speeches on the floor of Congress, it is almost unne- 
cessary to say, were not unworthy the reputation he en- 
joyed at the bar. In 1815, he wns chosen Major Gene- 
ral of the 6th Division of the Militia ; an office on which 
he conferred honor. He died suddenly, 25 April, 1817, 
at the age of forty four years. 

Judge Preble resided in Saco from 1812 to 1817. 
There are at present nine attorneys and counsellors in 
Saco, and on© attorney in Biddeford. 



J04 HISTORY OF SACO 

Physicians. Dr. Rice came to Saco about 1786, and 
remained a short time. He removed to Scarboro'. 

Dr. Thomas G. Thornton, late Marshal of Maine, 
settled in Saco, 1791. He was married to Sarah, daugh- 
ter of Col. Cutts, 1793, and soon after relinquished his 
profession for mercantile business. In 1803, he was ap- 
pointed Marshal, and continued in that office until his de- 
cease, March 4, 1824. 

Dr. John Allen, from England, commenced practising 
1796; he died 1825. 

Richard Cutts Shannon, M. D. of Dover, N. H. a 
graduate of Harvard Coll. 1795, studied medicine with 
Dr. Jacob Kittredge of that place, and obtained a corn- 
mission of surgeon in the U. S. navy. He was not long 
in the service, having settled in Saco in the fall of 1800. 
For a period of nearly twenty eight years, Dr. Shannon 
was the principal physician of the town. He died sud- 
denly, 19 April, 1828, universally lamented. At the 
time of his decease, Dr. Shannon was deacon of the first 
church, of which he had been for many years an exem- 
plary and justly esteemed member. 

There are at present two physicians in Saco, and the 
same number in Biddeford. 

Prior to the revolutionaiy war, there appears to have 
been no Collector of the customs stationed at Saco river ; 
the vessels were probably registered at Falmouth, but the 
books not having been preserved, we are unable to recur 
to the state of navigation at that period. During the war, 
Mr. Nathaniel Scamman was commissioned for that pur- 
pose by the provincial legislature. The first collector 
under the Federal government, was Jeremiah Hill, Esq. 
who was appointed 1789, and retained the office until 
ISOi^. He was succeeded by Daniel Granger, Esq., the 
late incumbent. 

The late Hon. Matthew Cobb, of Portland, was the 
principal merchant in Biddeford at that period. He 
came from Barnstable, Mass. about 1 780, with a stock of 
goods for which he had obtained credit. In a few years 
he amassed a large property, occupying a store which 
still remains in a ruinous condition, nearly opposite that of 
Mr. Deshon. Mr. Cobb removed to Portland 1796. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 305 

The late Daniel Cleaves, Esq. one of the most suc- 
cessfal merchants in this quarter, came from Danvers, 
Mass. to Saco, 1790, with a small stock of goods and 
commenced business in a building that stood near the 
house of Capt. Warren. He afterwards built the store 
now occupied by Mr. S. Adams, and in 1797, formed a 
partnership with Jona. Tucker, Esq., which continued 
sixteen years. Mr. Cleaves was married to Sarah, daugh- 
ter of Rev. John Fairfield, 1795. He died 1817, at his 
seat in Biddeford, in the forty seventh year of his age. 

Foxwell Cutts, Esq. the oldest son of Col. Cutts, was 
largely interested in navigation for several years previous 
to the late war. His large and costly ships were pro- 
fitably employed in freighting valuable cargoes to various 
parts of the world. Mr. Cutts built at that period the 
mansion house afterwards occupied by Marshal Thorn- 
ton. He died 1816, at the age of fifty one. 

The property of the Pepperell family, in Saco, passed 
into other hands towards the close of the last century. 
The young Sir William having adhered to the crown and 
left the country on the commencement of the war, his 
estates were confiscated, by an act of the General Court, 
1779. A life interest in them was enjoyed by Lady 
Mary, the relict of the former Sir William, and Mrs. Eli- 
zabeth Sparhawk, his daughter, as devised to them by his 
will. In exchange for the right thus arising, the State 
assigned two ninths in absolute property to Lady Mary 
and her daughter, by a deed executed 1788. The lat- 
ter appointed Charles Chauncy, Esq. her agent soon af- 
ter, by whom several lots were sold in Saco. In 1801, 
the sale of the mill lot, on the lower side of Main street, 
forty rods in width, and from the river to the middle line 
in length, took place. The house lots on Middle and 
High streets, and the eastern side of Main street, were 
laid out and sold at that time bv Hon. David Sewall, the 
agent of the Commonwealth. A grant of ten acres was 
made to the town, ''for the purpose of placing a meeting- 
house, and for a trainingfield and burying ground.'* 
Judge Sewall located one acre for a meetinghouse where 
that of the First Parish has been since erected ; the re- 
maining nine acres were located contiguous to the other 



306 HISTORY OF SACO 

town land. A company was formed about this time for 
the purpose of building a wharf, who purchased of the 
agent the land necessary for that object. The wharf was 
commenced soon after. The other wharf, near the free- 
bridge, where Pepperrell's had stood, was built by Messrs. 
Cleaves and Tucker, and Capt. Spring at the same time. 

The Pepperell half (about 1200 acres) of the Great 
lot, was purchased in different portions by Col. Cutts ; 
who also obtained the title to nearly 1000 acres of the 
remainder of that tract, valued by the appraisers of his 
estate at $20,450. The Pepperell half of the sawmill 
was purchased by the Colonel, with other parts of the 
confiscated property. Col. Cutts died Jan. 10, 1821, 
aged eighty five years. The real estate which he pos- 
sessed at the time of his decease, was estimated at nearly 
$100,000 in value. The improvements on the island at 
that time, were a large Iron factory, two sawmills, double 
and treble, a treble gristmill, with various mechanics' 
shops. The Iron works were erected under the direc- 
tion of Josiah Calef, Esq. 1811, and owned jointly by 
Mr. Calef and Col. Cutts. They are still in operation, 
and comprise a rolling and slitting mill, and eleven ma- 
chines for the manufacture of nails. At present about 
3500 lbs. of nails are produced per day in this valuable 
establishment. 

In the spring of 1825, the island, with the exception 
of a small part, the property of Mr. D. Cutts, was pur- 
chased by a Company, principally of Boston, for the pur- 
pose of erecting a Cotton Factory. The Iron works 
with the other improvements were included in the pur- 
chase. The whole cost to the Company was $i 10,000. 
They bought at the same time a considerable part of 
the privileges on the opposite side of the river, for 
$10,000. The operations of the Company were not 
rapid in their progress. The first year preparatioiis only 
were made. In 1826, a mill was erected, 210 feet in 
length, 47 in breadth, consisting of seven floors, and 
calculated to contain 12000 spindles and 300 looms. 
The excavation of a canal, leading from the head of the 
Fall to the site of the factory, and carried in part through 
a bed of solid rock, was attended with great labor and 



AND BIDDEPOR». 307 

expense. A large number of experienced and skilful 
workmen were employed in the construction of the ne- 
cessary machinery, and the establishment was gradually 
put in operation. In the summer of 1829, there were 
about 500 persons connected with it, of whom more than 
four hundred occupied the Company's tenements on the 
island. The goods manufactured acquired a high repu- 
tation in the market, and notwithstanding the pressure of 
the times, a handsome piofit was realized from the pro- 
ceeds of the sales. Early in the present year, the stock 
of machinery for the whole establishment was completed, 
on which the sum of $200,000 had been expended by 
the Coinpany. But the fruits of all this labor (much of 
which was executed with a skill and ingenuity seldom 
equalled,) and expense, were unfortunately swept away by 
the late destructive conflagration. The fire commenced 
at about 2 o'clock P. M. on Sunday, Feb. 21, in the base- 
ment story, and rapidly extended through every part of 
the building, leaving it in the course of three hours a heap 
of smouldering ruins. Thus perished one of the noblest 
monuments of New England enterprise, and the well 
founded expectations of its enterprising projectors and 
proprietors. 

The superior advantages presented by the island (which 
comprehends a surface of about 30 acres) for manufac- 
turing purposes, cannot be suffered to remain long unim- 
proved. The mill sites which it contains are not sur- 
passed in New England.* The water on the western 
side descends from forty to fifty feet, and is abundant at 
all seasons of the year ; neither drought nor frost impairs 
the value of the privilege. The convenience of sloop 
navigation almost to the foot of the Falls, and the ready 
supply of the materials for building, in the inexhaustible 
beds of clay and quarries of stone within the immediate 



*In a slight sketch of the condition of the town, prepared by Rev. 
Mr. Cogswell, for the Mass. Hist. Society, 1815, the writer ob- 
serves : ''It is no exaggeration to say, there is probably not a better 
place in the world for all kinds of mills and factories. Vessels of 
100 tons can come up within a few rods of all these mill seats, where 
there is through the year water enough for 2000 mills and factories. 
This town will one day be celebrated for its manufactories.'' 



308 HISTORY OF SAC© 

vicinity, offer a rare combination of facilities for the erec-' 
lion of extensive works. 

The Lumber trade has long been the principal branch 
of business on Saco river. In early times the mills were 
supplied with logs from the forests in the vicinity of the 
Fails ; in the former part of the last century, they were 
procured at the distance of a few miles above the mills. Jn 
the winter of 1772, it is said, a few persons for the first 
time ascended the river as far as Fryeburg in quest of 
timber, and finding an abundance, turned the attention of 
millmen to that region for their future supplies. After the 
war the number of mills was increased. Before the year 
1800, seventeen saws were in operation about the Falls, 
viz. on the western side 4, Gooch island 4, Spring's is- 
land 4, Indian island 2, the east side 3. The treble mill 
on Indian island was built soon after that time. Those on 
Spring's island were erected by Capts. Seth Spring and 
Moses Bradbury, 1 794-8. There were others on the small 
streams in different parts of both towns. The quantity 
of boards sawed per day (24 hours) has been estimated 
^iXJifty thousand feet. The only intermission from the la- 
bor of the mills has invariably been from sunset on Satur- 
day, to the same hour on Sunday.* There were grist- 
mills on both sides of the river. A Fulling null was built 
on what is now called Thacher's creek by Capt. Brad- 
bury, 1788 ; since removed to Spring's island. About 
8000 yards of cloth are dressed in it per year. Capt. 
Bradbury built the first house on the island 1705, and re- 
moved to it. Soon after, Capt. Spring built his western 
bridge ; and, in 1797-8, the eastern one. 

The manufacture of clapboards, shingles, and lathes, 
has been attended to at different times on a small scale, 
A mill is now owned by Mr. Abel Hersey, which con- 
tains machines for sawing these articles. About 70 M. 
clapboards and 300 M. lathes are annually turned out. 
Considerable quantities of staves, &ic. have been, and are 
still furnished for the market. In the year 1826, the fol- 



*The property in a saw consists of 24 parts called days ; a person 
owning one day is entitled to the use of the mill (if single) one day per 
month. One fourth of a single sawmill is 6 dnys ; of a double one, 
12 days. The Bubdivisions are carried to hours and minutes. 



AND BIDDErORD. 309 

lowing exports were made to foreign ports : 1,340,663 
feet of boards; 65,200 staves ; 276 M. shingles ; 1616 
shocks and heading ; 4000 hoops. The year ending 
Sept. 30, 1827, the amount of lumber sawed was 21 
million feet, the greatest part of which was carried to 
Boston, Providence, and New York. 

The amount of registered tonnage in the district of 
Saco and Biddeford, 1820, was 1188 tons, including 248 
temporary ; enrolled, 2059 ; licensed under twenty tons 
116. At the present time, the registered tonnage 
is 2009 tons, 81 temporary; enrolled 2250 tons ; licen- 
sed under twenty, 112 tons. The average number of 
tons built, per annum, during ten years ending 1829, is 
nearly 650 tons. The greatest amount for one year in 
that period, was in 1825, viz. 1679 tons.* 

By the returns made to the Legislature 1820, the 
amountof tillage land in Saco, was 763 acres; mowing 
3246 acres, including 193 salt marsh; pasturage, 3459 
acres. Annual products ; 6189 bus. Indian corn ; 248 bus. 
wheat ; 369 bus. rye ; 316 bus. oats ; 1334 bus. barley ; 
tons of hay : 1804 upland ; 351 fresh meadow ; 97 salt. 



*The destruction of several fine ships in this port during the last 
war, by the British, is worthy of notice. June 16, 1814, the Bul- 
wark 74, (carrying about ninety guns.) David Millne Commander, 
anchored 2^ miles east from Fletcher's Neck ; five large boats, con- 
taining about 150 men well armed, were soon after despatched from 
the ship, who at first landed on Stage island. After remaining there 
a few minutes, as if deliberating whether to ascend the river, they 
passed over to the Neck, where Capt. Thomas Cutts met. them with 
a while flag, and asked the leader of the party, whose name was Sey- 
mour, his intentions. He answered — ''to destroy the place." Capt. 
Cutts, who resided on the Neck, and had gathered much valuable 
property around him, then enquired if he would not negotiate for the 
value of the property in money •, and was referred to Capt. Millne, 
who soon after came ashore in his gig. The Capt. said he had posi- 
tive orders to destroy property, and would accept no terms. The 
men in his presence set fire to the hull of a new ship, 205 tons bur- 
then, valued at $8000; cut in piecesr.another on the stocks, 540 tons, 
which with the loss of timber exceeded $7000 ; and carried away a 
third, which Capt. Cutts afterwards ransomed for $0000. All these 
vessels were the property of the latter. The men also entered his 
store and plundered from it goods to the value of $2000. They like- 
wise burned a small schooner, and a sloop of 50 or 60 tons, from Cape 
Cod. After committing this wanton and unjustifiable destruction 
of private property , they returned to the ship, and soon left the coast. 
27 



310 HISTORY OF SACO 

In Biddeford ; tillage, 456 acres ; mowing 2222 acre?, 
including 193 salt marsh; pasturage, U>C9. Auntinl 
products ; 3108 bus. Ind. corn ; 41 wheat; 41 rye ; 12 
oats ; 1702 barley. Hay, 1203 tons upland ; 308 hesh 
meadow ; 116 salt. 

A Post Office was established in Biddeford 1789 ; 
when Benjamin Hooper, Esq. was aj>pointed Postmas- 
ter. Mr. Joseph Barnard, of Kennebunk, first carried 
the mail on this route, at first on horseback, afterwards 
in a light wagon. He was succeeded by the late Jo- 
siah Paine, Esq. of Portland, the enterprising contrac- 
tor who first introduced the use of coaches with four 
horses into this part of the country, and effected more to- 
wards promoting the facilities of travelling in Maine than 
any other individual. Mr. Hooper resigned the office of 
postmaster 1798 ; lie died 1802, at the age of eighty 
two. His son, Daniel Hooper, Esq. was next appointed, 
and on his decease in 1800, was succeeded by William 
P. Hooper, Esq. Until 1802, the post office was kept 
at the public house of Messrs. Hoopers ; in that year it 
was removed to Cutts's island, where it continued till 1807, 
when it was removed to the village in Saco. The late 
John Cleaves, Esq. was appointed postmaster 1810, and 
has had two successors in the office. 

The population of Biddeford by the first census, 1790, 
was 1018; in 1800, 1296; 1810, 1563; 1820, 1738. 
Saco, at the same times, had the following numbers : 
1352, 1842, 2492, 2532. In the summer of 1829, the 
writer made an enumeration of the inhabitants of Saco, 
and found the number to be 3712, giving an increase 
over the census of 1820, (which is supposed to have been 
inaccurately taken,) of nearly twelve hundred. Instances 
of longevity have occurred in both towns, some of which 
were of a remarkable character. In Saco three persons 
have died at the age of 100 years ; viz. James Miller, 
1764; Job Hanscomb, 1777; and the late venerable 
Deacon Amos Chase, who was born at Newbury 15 Jan- 
uary, 1718; and died 2 March 1818. From 1811 to 
1828, forty two persons have reached or exceeded eighty 
years ; nine of whom were ninety or upwards. The num- 
ber of deaths during that period, at the average of 35 per 



AND BIDDEFORD. 



311 



annum, was 595. In 1815, the Rev. Mr. Cogswell com- 
puted the average number of deaths annually at 30. The 
oldest person known to have lived in Biddeford, was Pen- 
dleton Fletcher, who was born on Fletcher's Neck, where 
he died 1807, aged ninety nine years and six months. 
The oldest now living in that town is Daniel Tarbox, to 
whom the writer has been indebted for several local par- 
ticulars. Daniel was born at Winter Harboi, nearly 
ninety years ago, and was baptized by Rev. Mr. Willard. 

The amount of money annually raised by Saco for the 
support of schools has not much varied from $1500, for 
several years, being $500 above the sum legally required. 
The town is divided into nine classes or districts. Two 
schools are supported in the central class throughout the 
year, and two additional during six months. In the other 
classes, the terms vary according to the number of pupils. 
Saco Academv was incorporated 16 Feb. 1811, and 
endowed by the State with half a township, consisting of 
11,520 acres of land. In consequence of a donation of 
$1000 to its funds by the late Marshal Thornton, the 
Trustees gave his name to the institution. Tlie Academy 
is now in a flourishing condition, under the highly appro- 
ved preceptorship of Hezekiah Packard, jr. A. M. 
A private seminary denominated the "Classical School," 
is conducted by Phlneas Pratt, A. M. A High School 
for young ladies, under the care of Miss A. Hall, was es- 
tablished in 1829, and continues to be liberally patroni- 
sed. There are other private schools in the village, in- 
tended for a younger class of pupils. 

In Biddeford, the amount of school money raised an- 
nually has not exceeded $1200; the sum required by 
law is about $700. A grammar school is supported du- 
ring the greater part of the year near the Falls, and the 
remninder of the money is distributed anwng ten classes. 

The following list contains the names of persons born 
in Biddeford and Saco, who have been liberally educated, 
commencing with the former town. Harvard College. 
Samuel Jordan, 1750 ; second son of Capt. S. Jordan ; 
a representative of the town several years. He died of 
yellow fever, 1802, aged seventy three.* John Willard, 



*The yellow fever has been brought mto the river by vessels from 



312 HISTORY OF SACO 

1751, minister of Stafford, Conn. He received a doc- 
torate in divinity from Yale Colle2;e. Joseph Willard, 
1765 ; D. D. LL. D. President of^Harvard Coll. 1781- 
1804. Jeremiah Hill, A. M. 1787. Mr. mil entered 
college 1767, and left before his class graduated. He 
afterwards received the usual honors. Mr. Hill was en- 
gaged for a considerable period in mercantile business ; 
he represented the town in the General Court several 
years, and was through life an active, useful and promi- 
nent citizen. He died in June, 1820, aged seventy three. 
James Sullivan, 1790; the oldest son of Gov. Sullivan. 
He died at Boston soon after leaving College. William 
Sullivan, 1792; LL. D. Boston. Moses Porter, 1799. 
Abel Lawrence Peirson, 1812 ; M. D. Salem, Mass. 
George Thacher, 1812; A. M. Saco. Grenville Mel- 
len, 1818 ; A. M. North Yarmouth. Boivdoin College. 
Richard Cobb, 1806 ; A. M. Boston. Edward Henry 
Cobb, 1810; A. M. late of Portland. Frederic Mellen, 
1823, Portland. Gorham Dean, 1825; a young gen- 
tleman of highly promising talents, who died at the close 
of his last collegiate year, in Providence, R. L where he 
had gone for the benefit of his heahh. 

Saco. Harvard College. Cadwallader Gray, 1784 ; a 
merchant at the Falls, afterwards of Buxton. James 
Gray, 1786. Richard Cutts, 1790 ; A. M. Washington, 
D. C. Gideon Tucker, 1820. Dartmouth College, 
Nathaniel Coffin, 1799; A. M. Wiscasset. Bowdoin 
College. Seth Storer, 1807; A. M. Scarborough. 
(Office at Saco.) William Rufus King, 1823. Daniel 
Tristram Granger, 1826; Newfield. Joseph Warren 
Leland, 1826. Ichabod Goodwin Jordan, 1827. John 
Fairfield Hartley, 1829. Waterville College. Albert 

the West Indies in at least three instances ; 1794, 1796, and 1802. 
The second time the whole number of persons who were sick, as we 
are informed by Dr. Porter, was 43, eleven of whom died. In June, 
1802, a vessel came up to the wharf in Biddeford, with the infection 
on board, but it not being known for several days, many were ex- 
posed who fell victims to the disease. It soon spread throughout the 
neighborhood ; of sixty three cases, says Dr. Porter, fourteen proved 
fatal Those who survived the fourth day after the attack, generally 
recovered. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 313" 

Gallatin Lane, 1827 ; Belfast. Now In Bowdoin Coll. : 
George Washington Cole, William Vaugiian Jordan, Seth 
Storer Green, Henry Gookin Siorer. The number of 
gentlemen educated at College now resident in Saco, is 
filteen ; viz. five graduates of Harvard, one of Dart- 
mouth, nine of Bowdoin. 

Saco River, (with a brief account of which we must 
conclude our inquiries,) is one of the largest in Nev^ 
England, yet being much broken in its course by falls, 
is not navigable to any considerable extent. It springs 
from three sources in the White Mountains ; the branch 
issuing from the southwest side of the mountains, near 
the Notch, is considered the main stream; next to this 
is the middle branch, which is the smallest ; and beyond 
is the branch called Ellis's river, which rises on the north- 
east side of the mountains, and after a course of about 
eighteen miles, unites with the main branch in the town 
of Bartlett. Cutler's and New rivers are mountain tor- 
rents that discharge into the Ellis. The Ammanoosuck, 
a branch of the Connecticut, rises within about two rods 
of the Saco, flowing in an opposite direction. The whole 
length of Saco river is estimated to be 160 miles; run- 
ning in its general course SSE, and discharging into 
the sea in latitude 43 degrees, 28 minutes ; longitude 
from Greenwich (London) 70 degrees, 26 minutes. The 
principal Falls are, the Great Falls, at Hiram, where the 
water descends 72 feet ; Steep Falls at Limington, 20 
feet ; Salmon Falls, at Hollis and Buxton, 30 feet, and 
Saco Falls, 42 feet. The latter are about four miles from 
the mouth of the river. The ordinary rise of the water 
in the spring is from ten to fifteen feet, but in great fresh- 
ets it has been known greatly to exceed that number. A 
long storm which occurred in October, 1785, raised the 
river to an immense height, sweeping away mills and 
bridges, and inundating houses that, stood in its vicinity. 
In 1814, there was the greatest freshet known since that 
of 1785.* At such seasons the appearance of Saco Falls 



*The view of the Falls prefixed to this volume, represents them 
during a rise of the river greater than is usually experienced. It was^ 
taken from below the bank nearly opposite the Nail Factory. 
27* 



314 HISTORY OP SACO 

is truly sublime ; and formerly, before the scenery about 
them was destroyed, presented a spectacle of grandeur 
and beauty seldom equalled. From the mouth of the 
river a fine beach extends to the east about five miles, 
(formerly the travelled road,) called Old Orchard beach. 
This name arose from a growth of apple trees formerly 
near the beach, (below the schoolhouse,) planted at a 
very early period ; some of them remained as late as 
1 770. Another beach of less extent, but not inferior in 
other respects, is found at the Pool, connecting Fletcher's 
Neck with the main and forming the south shore of that 
peninsula. Its distance from the Falls is about nine miles. 
The small streams by which different parts of Saco are 
watered, generally derive their origin from an immense 
bog, commonly called the Heath, and flow into the river 
and sea. On one of these, Foxwell's brook, there is a 
fine waterfall, with a descent of about sixty feet, surroun- 
ded by scenery of a wild and striking character. 



APPENDIX- 



A. p. ]8. 

The passage of the Dutch author, De Laet, referred to as a trans- 
lation of Capt. Smith's notice of Saco river, and of the coast of 
Maine in general, is the following : 

Ab hoc (i. e. amne Sagadehoc) versus occasum provincia Aucocisco 
[Casco] amplissimi sinus gremio praetenditur, multaeque insulae 
cum suis portubus per sinum sunt sparsae. Haud longe hinc Sovi^o- 
COTUCK ad angulurn continentis qui latum sinura aperit arenoso quideni 
littore sed crebris insulis et cautibus illi objectis, aditu difficilem et 
non nisi minoribus navigiis. Quid multa'? tota haec ora a Penobscot 
hue usque, et longius a Pen. versus ortum, ejusmodi rupibus et saxosis 
insulis scatet, ut mirum sit tam procerarum arborum feracem esse, ne- 
que quisquam hie est quod intuentes nonmagis deterreatquam afficiat ; 
tanien mare hie, si usquam, mire piscosum, and hae insulae tot arbori- 
bus amoenae, tot fontibus riguae, tam variis fructibus diles, tamque hie 
avium copia, ut non careat fide, licet littora tam aspera sint, tamen 
convalles et interioru Continentis facundissimo esse solo. Lib. iii. 
Cap. iii. 

The "island of Bacchus," with which the French navigators were 
so much charmed, is doubtless Wood Island. At the present time, 
however, the vine is not found there, nor the walnut, although a great 
variety of growth still covers the island. Beech, Oak, Maple, Bass, 
(or lime tree,) Ash, Fir or Spruce, Moose wood. Pine, Hornbeam, 
and Birch, overspread its surface, which consists of about thirtysix acres. 
In suumier this island is a very delightful spot, not unworthy the ad- 
miration bestowed by the French. The oiher i-slands near the niouth 
of the river, in what was anciently called Saco Bay, are much j^mal- 
ler, and nearly destitute of vegetation ; Stage island, formerly called 
Giljbins' island, on which a monument is now erected, contains but 
five or six acres ; Basket island about four acres; the others (Eagle 
arid Ram islands) are still less in extent. 

B. p. 29. 

Grant from the Council of Plymouth to Lewis and Bonython, no^ 

S/vc ». 
TO ALL ( HRISTIAN PEOPLK to whom this present writing 
indented shall come, the Council for the affairs of New England in 
America send Greeting in our Lord God Everlasting. Whereas, 
King James, of fainous memory, late king of England, Scotland, 
France & Ireland, by his Hl^hness'a Letters Patent and Royal Grant, 
under the great seal of England, bearing date th^; third day of Nov. 
in the eighteenth year of his reigu ot England, France and Ireland, 
&c. for the causo th jr-'in expressed, did absolutely give, grant and 
confirm unij the sa'd CcMin:M f >r Uie affiirs of New England in A- 
raerica, and their successors forever — All the Lands of New Eng- 



316 APPENDIX. 

land lying and beinof from forty to forty-eight degrees of northerly 
latitude, and in length by all that breadth aforesaid from sea to sea, 
throughout ihe main land, together withal! the Woods, Waters, Riv- 
ers, Soil, Havens, Harbors, Islands and other commodities whatso- 
ever thereunto belonging, with divers other privileges, preheminan- 
ces, profits and liberties, by sra and land, as by the said Letters Pa- 
tent, amongst other things contained, whereunto duo relation being 
had more at large, it doth and may appear. 

NOW KNOW YB, that the said Touncil for the affairs of New 
England in America, as well for and in consideration that Thumas 
Lewis, Gent, hath already been at the charge to transport himself 
and others to take a view of New England in America aforesaid, 
for the bett'ring of his experience in advancing of a Plantation, and 
doth now wholly mtend, by God's assistance, with his associates, to 
plant there, both f)r the good of his Majesty's realms and dominions, 
and for the pr )pagation of Christian Religion atnongst those infidels, 
and in consideration also that the said Thomas Lewis, together with 
Capt. Rich. Bon/thon. and also with their associates and company, 
have undertaken at their own proper cost and charges, to transport 
fifty persons thither within seven years next ensumg. to plant and 
inhabit there, to the advancement of the general Plantation of that 
country and the strength and sai'ety thereof amongst the natives or 
any other invaders Also, for the encouragement of the said Thos. 
Lewis and Capt. Richard Bimython and other their associates and 
assigns — and other good causes and considerations, the said Council 
thereunto moving : — Have given, granted, enfeoffed and confirmed, 
and by this their present writing do fully, clearly and absolutely give, 
grant, enfeoffe and confirm unto the said Thomas Lewis and Capt. 
Kichard Bonython, their heirs and assigns, forever, all that part of 
the main land in New Enofland in America aforesaid, commonly called 
or known by the name of Swanckadocke, or by whatsoever other 
name or names the same is or shall be hereafter called or known by, 
situated, lying and being between the Cape or Bay cominonly called 
Cape Elizabeth, and the Cape or Bay commonly called Cape Por- 
poise, containinor in breadth from northeast to southwest along by the 
sea, four miles in a straight line, accounting seventeen hundred and 
three score yards, according to the standard of England, to every 
mile, and eight English miles upon the main land, on the North side 
of the river Swanckadock after the same rate, from the sea through 
all the breadth aforesaid, together with all the Shores, C-eeks, Bays, 
Harbors and Coasts along the Sea within the limits and bounds afore- 
said, with the woods and islands next adjoining to the said land, not 
being already granted by the said Council unto any other person or 
persons ; together, also, with all the Lands, Rivers, Mines, Minerals 
of what kind or nature soever. Woods, Quarries, Marshes, Waters, 
Lakes, Fishings, Huntings, Hawkings, Fowlings, Commodities, Emol- 
uments and Hereditaments whatsoever, with all and singular their 
and every of their appurtenances in or within the limits or bounds 
aforesaid, or to the said Land lying within the said limits or bounds 
belonging, or in any wise appertaining — TO HAVE AND TO 
HOLD all and singfular the said lands and premises with all and sin- 
gular the Woods, Quarries, Marshes, Waters, Rivers, Lakes, Fish- 
itigs, Hawkings, Huntings, Mines, Minerals of what kind or nature 
soever, Privileges, Rights, Jurisdictions, Liberties, Royalties, and all 
other Profits, Commodities, Emoluments and Hereditaments whatso- 
ever, before, in and by these Presents given and granted or herein. 



APPENDIX, 317 

mentioned, or intended to be hereby given or granted with their and 
every of their appurtenances and every part and parcel thereof (ex- 
cept before excepted) unto the said Thomas Lewis and Capt. Rich- 
ard Bonython, their heirs, associates and assigns forever, to the only 
proper use and behoof of the said Thomas Levi^is and Capt Richard 
Bonython, their heirs, associates and assigns forever, yielding aid 
paying unto our Sovereign Lord the King one fifth part of Gold and 
Silver Ore, and another filth part to the Council aforesaid, and their 
successors to be holden of the said Council and their successors by 
the rent hereafter in these presents reserved, yielding and paying 
therefor yearly forever unto the said Council, their successors or as- 
signs, for every hundred acres of the said land in use, twelve pence 
of lawful money of England into the hands of the Rent Gatherer 
(for the time being) of the said Council, their heirs or successors for 
all services whatsoever. And the said Council for the affairs of New 
England in America aforesaid, do by these presents nominate, de- 
pute, authorize, appoint and in their place and stead put Wm. Black- 
stoon, of New England aforesaid, Clark, William Jeffreys, and Edv/. 
Hilton, of the same, Genfn, and either or any of them jointly or sev- 
erally to be their lawful attorney or attorneys, and in their names 
and stead to enter into the said part or portion of Land, and other 
the premises with the appurtenances by these presents given and 
granted, or into some part thereof in the name of the whole, and pea- 
ceable and quiet possession and seizin thereof for them to take, and 
the same so had and taken in their names and stead to deliver pos- 
session and seizen thereof unto the said Thomas Lewis and Capt. 
Richard Bonython, their heirs, associates and assigns, according to 
the tenor, form and effect of these presents, ratifying, confirming 
and allowing all and whatsoever the said attorne}'^ or attorneys or ei- 
ther of them shall do in and about the premises by virtue hereof In 
witness whereof the said Council for the affairs of New England 
aforesaid have hereunto caused their common seal to be put, Giv- 
en the twelfth day of February, Anno Domini 1629, and in the 
fifth year of the reign of our sovereign Lord Charles, by the grace of 
God' King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of 
the Faith, &c. 

R. Warwick. [seal appending} Edw. Gorges. 

June 28, 163L Possession, livery and seizen given and delivered 
by the within named Edw. Hilton, Gent, one of the Commissioners 
nominated by the Lords of the Council for the affairs of New Eng- 
land, unto the within named Thomas Lewis, Gent, in the presence 
and sight of the persons under named. Tho. Wiggin, James Par- 
ker, Henry Watts, George Vahun. 

A true copy of the original, received April 5, 1731 — 

Attest, Jas. Moody, Register. 

Grant from the Council to Oldham and Vines, now Biddeford. 

TO ALL CHRISTIAN PEOPLE to whom this present writing 
indented shall come, the Council for the affairs of New England in 
America send Greeting in our Lord God Everlasting. Whereas, 
King James, of famous memory, late King of England, Sci^tland, 
France & Ireland, bv his Highness's Letters Patent and Royal Grant, 
under the great Seal of England, bearing date the third of Novem- 
ber, in the eighteenth year of his reign of England, France and Ire- 
land, for the cause therein expressed, did absolutely give, grant a,nd 



318 APPENDIX. 

confirm unto the said Council for the affairs of New England in A» 
merica, lying and being from forty to forty-eight degrees of norther- 
ly latitude and in length by all that breadth aforesaid, from sea to 
sea throughout the main land, together with all.the Woods, W aters, 
Rivers, Soils, Havens, Haibours, Islands and other Commodities 
whatsoever thereunto belonging, v^nth divers other privileges, pre- 
heniinances, profits and liberties, by sea and by land as by the said 
Letter Patents (amongst other things contained whereunto due rela- 
tion being had) more at large it doth and may appear. 

NOW KNOW YE, that the said Council for the aff*airs of New 
England in \merica, as well for and in consideration that John Ould- 
ham, Gent, a planter in New England in America aforf^said, and oth- 
ers his servants have for these six years now last past lived in New 
England aforesaid, and for that the said John Ouldham hath hereto- 
fore, at his own pr(por cost and charges, transported thither and 
planted there divers persons and ha*h, for the eff'ecting of that so 
good a work, undergone great labour and danger ; and in considera- 
tion also, that the said John Ouldhatu, together with Richard Vines, 
Gent, and their heirs, associates and c-mpany have undertaken, at 
their own cost and charsre, to transport fifty persons thither in the 
space of seven years next ensuing to plant and inhubit there to the 
advancement of the general Plantation of that conntry and the 
strength and safety thereof against the natives or any other inva- 
ders ; and also for the better encouragement of the said John Ould- 
ham, Richard Vine^ and other their associates and assigns, and other 
good causes and considerations the said Council thereunto moving — 
Have given, granted, enfeoffed and confirmed, and by this their pre- 
sent writing do fully, clearly and absolutely give, grant, enfeoffe and 
confirm unto the said John Ouldham and Richard Vines, their heirs 
and assigns forever, all that part of the main land in New England 
aforesaid commonly called or known by the name of Swanckadock, 
or by whatsoever other name or names the same is or shall be here- 
after called or known by, situated, lying and being between the Cape 
or Bay commonly called Cape Elizabeth and the Cape or Bay com- 
monly called Cape Porpoise, containing in breadth from northeast to 
southwest, along by the sea, four miles in a straight line, accounting 
seventeen hundred and three score yards, according to the standard 
of England, to every mile, and eight English miles up into the main- 
land on the south side of the river Swanckadock, after the same rate, 
from the sea through all the breadth of four miles aforesaid together 
with all the Shores, Creeks, Bays, Harbours and Coasts along the 
Sea within the limits and bounds aforesaid, with the Woods and Isl- 
ands next adjoining to the said Lands not being already granted by 
the said Council unto any other person or persons, together also with 
all the Lands, Rivers, Mines. Minerals of what kind or nature soev- 
er. Woods. Quarries, Marshes, Waters, Rivers, Lakes, Fishings, 
Huntings, Hawkings. Fowlings, Commodities, Emoluments, Heridi- 
taments whatsoever, with all and singular their and every of their 
appurtenances in or within the limits and bounds aforesaid, or to the 
said Lands lying within the same limits or bounds belonging or in 
any way appertaining— TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all and sin- 
gular t.he said Lands and premises, with all and singular the Woods, 
Quarries, Marshes. Waters, Rivers, Lakes, Fishings, Fowlings, 
Hawkings, Mines, Minerals of what kind or nature soever. Privile- 
ges, Rights, Jurisdiction, Liberties, Royalties and all other Profits, 



APPENDIX. 319 

Commodities, Emoluments and Hereditaments whatsoever before in 
ar.u by these presents ^iven and granted or Ijercn- n" uti nod or in- 
tuntivd lO 1)3 hereby given or granted, with their and (^very of their 
appuitenauces and every part and parcel thereof, except before ex- 
cepted nnto the said John Ouldham and Richard Vines, their heirs, 
associatt^s and assigns forever, to the only proper u?e and behoof of 
the said John Ouldham, Richard Vines, their heirs, associates and as- 
signs forever, yielding and paying unto our Sovereign Lord the King 
on*^ fifth part of Gold and S>ilver '.)re, and another fifih part to the 
Council aforesaid and t)ieir Successors, to be holden of the said Coun- 
cil aforesaid and their successors, by the Rent hereafter in these pre- 
sents rnserved, yielding and paying thereof yearly forever unto the 
said Council, their successors or assigns for every hundred acres of 
the said Laud in use, twelve pence of lawful nione;y of England into 
the hands of the Rent Gatherer, for the time being, of the said Coun- 
cil, their successors or assigns for all services whatsoever, and the 
said Council for the affairs of New England aforesaid do by these 
presents n(jminate, depute, authorize, appoint and in their place and 
stead put William Blackston, of New England aforesaid, ^"lerk, Wil- 
liam Jeffreys and Edward Hilton, ol the same place, .ent'n, and ei- 
ther or any of them, jointly or severally, to be their true and lawful 
attorney or Attorneys, and in their name and stead to enter into the 
said part or portion of land and other the premises with appurtenan- 
ces by these presents given and granted, or into some part thereof 
in the name of the whole, and peaceable and quiet possession and 
seizen thereof for them to take and the same so had and taken in 
their name and stead to deliver possession and seizen thereof unto 
the said John Ouldham and Richard Vines, their heirs, associates 
and assigns, according to the tenor, form and effect of these presents, 
ratifying and confirming and allowing al' and vvhatsoever the said 
attorney or attorneys, or either of them, shall do in or about the 
premises by virtue hereof. In witness whereof the said Council 
have caused the common seal to be put, the twelfth day of February, 
Anno Do(nini 1621), in the fifth year of the reign of our Sovereign 
Lord Charles, by the Grace of God King of England, Scotland, 
France and Ireland. Defender of the Faith, (fee. 

Rob. Warwick, Edw. Gorges, Ferd, Gorges, Thos. Smith. 

Memorandum. That possession and seizen was taken by the with- 
in named Richard Vines of the premises within granted in the pre- 
sence of Mr Isaac Allerton, Capt. Thomas Wiggin, Mr. Thomas 
Purchase, Capt. Nathaniel Waters, Capt. John Wright and Mr. Ste- 
phen Reeck, mariner, the 25th day of June, 1630. This is a true co- 
py of the original Deed, recorded the 19th day of July, 1643, and 
examined. Per me, Rogek Garp, Recorder. 

I. Richard Vines, of Saco, Gent, have bargained and sold the pa- 
tent above specified unto Robert Child, F:sq. Doct. of Physick and 
given him Livery and Seizen upon the day of October, 1G45, in pre- 
sence of Mr. Adam Winthrop and Mr. Benjamin Gilman. 

C. p. 36. 

Bond and Lease from Vines to John West. 
Noverint universi per presentea me Richard Vines de Sacoe in Nova 
Anglia, Armigerum, teneri et firmiler obligari John West de Sadoe pri- 



320 APPENDIX. 

die Husbandman in qnadraginta libris legalis monete Angliae solven- 
dis eidem John aut suo cerlo attorno, executoribus, adniinistratoribus 
suis ad quam quidem solutionem bene et fideliter faciendum obligo me 
heredes executores administratores meos firmiter perpresentes Sigilllo 
meo sigillatas datas * * die Ociobris anno Regni Domini nortri Caro- 
li Dei gratia Angliae Scotiae Franciae et Hibernia Regis, Fidei Defen- 
soris, decimo, annoque Domini 1G38. 

[Translation. Know all men by these presents, that I, Richard 
Vines, of Saco, in New England. Esquire, am held and firmly bound 
to John West, of Saco, formerly Husbandman, in £40 legal money 
of England, to be paid to the said John or his attorney, executors and 
administrators, to make which payment well and faithfully, 1 firmly 
bind myself, my heirs, executors and administrators by these presents. 
Sealed with my seal, given * * day of October in the tenth year of 
our master Charles, by the grace of God King of England, Scotland, 
France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, A. D. 1638.] 

Whereas the condition of this obligation is such that whereas the 
above bounden Richard Vines hath by his writing indented bearing 
date the day and year abovewritten under his hand and seal for the 
consideration therein mentioned, demised, granted, leased and to farm 
letten unto the abovementioned John West, his executors and assigns, 
one mansion or dwellinghouse and certain lands and grounds to tiie 
same belonging or adjoining with the appurtenances in Sacoe afore- 
said for the term of lUOO years for and under the yearly rent or farm 
of two shillings and one capon as by the said indentures may more 
fully and at large appear, now the said John West, his executors, ad- 
ministrators or assigns, shall and may at all and every time and times 
hereafter for and during said term of 1000 years lawfully, peacefully 
and quietly have, hold, occupy, possess and enjoy the said mansion or 
dwelling house, the said lands, grounds and other the premises by the 
said writing indented to him, demised, leased and to farm letten with 
all and every their appurtenances without any lett, suit, trouble, hin- 
drance, molestation or incumbrance to be had, made or done unto him 
the said John West, his executors or assigns, by the said Richard 
Vines, his heirs or assigns, or Joan his wife, or any of them, or by 
Thomas Cole sometime tenant or occupier of the premises. Sealed 
and delivered in presence of R. Gibson, T. Williams, T. Rogers. 



D. p. 11 



o. 



A deed purporting to have been given to Rev. John Wheelwright 
by several Indian sagamores, 1629, is published in the Appx. to i. Bel- 
knap's Hist. N. H. The attestation of the deed is signed by "R. 
Vines and R. Bonython, governor and^assistant of the Plantation at Sa- 
co." Mr. Savage, the able editor of Winthrop's Journal, has shown 
most conclusively, that the pretended deed was forged, at a much la- 
ter date, after the decease of the supposed grantee. The evidence 
drawn from the attestation of Vines & Bonython is, however, the least 
satisfiictory. The inhabitants of 'the Plantation at Saco' were evident- 
ly subject to a local jurisdiction (similar to that established at Exeter) 
at least as early as 1630, and perhaps earlier, before a general govern- 
ment existed, and who so likely to be their governor and assistant as 
Vines and Bonython ? The mass of other testimony against the au- 



APPENDIX. 321 

thenticity of the Wheelwright deed, is sufficiently decisive. Another 
document in the same vo!ume of Dr. Belknap, (a division of lands, 
&c.) is likewise spurious. 

E. p. 156. 

"Sept. 19, 1659. The declaration of Jane, the Indian, of Scarboro', 
concerning Land. 

This aforesaid Jane, alias I j hannum, doth declare that her mother, 
namely, Nagaasqua, wife of VVickwarrawaske, Sagamore, and her 
brother, viz. Ugagoquskit, and herself, viz. Uphannnm, coequally 
have sold unto Andrew Alger and his brother Arthur Alger, a tract of 
land beginning at the mouth of the river called Blue Point River, 
where the river doth part, and so up along \a iih the river called Owas- 
coage in Indian and so up 3 score poles above the falls on the one 
side, and on the other side bounded up along with the northernmost 
river that dreaneth by the great hill of Abram Jocelyn andgoeth north- 
ward bounding from the head of this River S. W. and so to the afore- 
said bounds, viz. 60 poles above the Falls : This aforesaid Uphannum 
doth declare that her mother and brother and she have already m hand 
received full satisfaction of the aforesaid Algers, for the aforesaid their 
land from the beginning of the world to this day, provided that from 
time to time, from year to year yearly, the aforesaid Algers shall pea- 
ceably suffer Uphannum to plant in Andrew Alger's field so long as Up- 
hannum and her mother Nagaasqua both live, and also one bushel of 
corn for acknowledgement every year so long as they both shall live. 
Uphannum doth declare that the bargain was made in the year 1651, 
unto which she doth subscribe. In the presence of (..'ook, the day 
and date abovewritten, Jane an Indian woman did appear before me 
21 June, 1672, and acknowledge this instrument was the deed of her 
mother and herself. Before me, B. PENDLETON, Associate." 

Andrew Augur left in all six children, three sons and three daugh- 
ters, but the property chiefly descended to the heirs of John, the oldest 

SOD. 

F. p. 266. 

^nho Regni (L. S.) Regis Georgii Tertii Secundo. 

AN ACT for incorporating the East side of Saco river in the town of 

Biddeford into a separate District by the name of Pepper eilboro'. 

Whereas the inhabitants on the east side of S ico river, in the town 
of Biddeford, in the County of York, have represented to this Court 
the great difficulties and inconveniences they labour under m their pre- 
sent situation, and have earnestly requested that they may be invested 
with the powers, privileges and immunities of a District — Therefore, 

Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and House of Representa- 
tives, That all the lands in the town of Biddeford lying on the east 
side of vSaco River, m the ' ounry of York, together with an Island in 
the said River commonly called and known by the name of Indian Isl- 
and, be, and hereby is erected into a separ.ite and distuicl District by 
the n;'mB of Pepperellboro', bounded with the same bounds as the 
town of Biddeford now is oa ilie east side of ;5aco river ; and that 

28 



322 APPENDIX, 

tlie said District be, and hereby is invested with all the privileges, 
powers and immunities that towns in this Province by law do or may 
enjoy, that of sending a Representative to the General i\ssembly only 
excepted ; and that the said District shall have full liberty and right 
from time to time to join the Town of Biddeford in choosing a Rep- 
resentative to represent them at the General Assembly, and shall be 
notified of the time and place of election in like manner with the in- 
habitants of the said Town of Biddeford, by a warrant from the Se- 
lectmen of the said town, directed to a Constable or Constables of the 
said District, requiring him or them to warn the inhabitants to attend 
the meeting at time and place assigned, which warrant shall be sea- 
sonably returned by the said Constable or Constables. And the Rep- 
resentative ma}' be chosen indifferently from the said Town or District, 
the pay or allowance to be borne by the Town and District in propor- 
tion as they shall from time to time pay to the Province tax. Provided 
nevertheless, and be it further enacted, that the said District shall pay 
their proportion of all Town, County and Province taxes already set 
or granted to be raised on the ToWn of Biddeford aforesaid, as if this 
act had not been made. 

And be it further enacted. That Rishworth Jordan, Esq. be, and 
hereby is empowered to issue his warrant to some principal inhabitant 
of said District, requiring him to notify and warn the inhabitants of 
said District, qualified by law to vote in town affairs, to meet at such 
time and place as shall be therein set forth, to choose all such officers 
as shall be necessary to manage the affairs of said district. 

June 8, 1762. This Bill having been read three several times in 
the House of Representatives, passed to be enacted. 

TIM. RUGGLES, Speaker. 

June 9, 1762. This Bill having been read three several times in 
Council, passed to be enacted. A. OLIVER, Secretary. 

June 9, 1762. By the Governor. I consent to the enacting this 
Bill. ERA. BARNARD. 

A true Copy of the original Act, 

EDWARD D. BANGS, Sec'y of Commonwealth. 



Representativss of Biddeford in the Generai* 

Court. 

1719, Capt. H. Scamman. 1721, Pendleton Fletch- 
er. 1747-9-5, Capt. Daniel Smith. 1754, Rev. Sam'l 
Hill, son-in-law of Capt. S. Jordan. Mr. Hill was settled 
a second time at Rochester, N. H. 1760, where he died, 
1764. 1756-7, and 1760-1-2-3, Samuel Jordan. 1766- 
7-9, and 1770-1-2, Jere. Hill, senior. 1768, Abraham 
Chase. 



APPENDIX. 323 

TOWN OFFICERS. 



SELECTMEN OF BIDDEFORD. 

1717 — Andrew Brown, Rich. Stimson, H. Scanfiman. 

1718 — Eben. Hill, R. Stimson, H. Sramman. 

1719 — Ebenezer Hill, Benj. Haley, H. Scamman. 

1720 — E. Hill, Pendleton Fletcher, H. Scamman. 

1721 — H. Scamman, Abraham Townsend, E. Hill. 

1722— A. Townsend, E. Hill, H. Scamman. 

1723 — H. Scamman, E. Hill, John Travis. 

1724-5— H. Scamman, E. Hill, A. Townsend. 

1726 — E. Hill, A. Townsend, H. Scamman. 

]727— Sam'l Jordan, E. Hill. A. Townsend. 

1728 — Benj. Haley, A. Townsend, John Gordon. 

1729 — S. Jordan, Lt. John Stackpole, H. Scamman. 

1730 — H. Scamman, Cnpt. S. Jordan, J. Stackpole, 

1731 — H. Scamman, E. Hill, Richard Stimson. 

1732-3-4 — Records deficient. 

1735 — Rob. Patterson, Rob. Edgecomb, John Davis. 

1736_E. Hill, J. Davis, R. Patterson. 

1737-8-9— John Gray, Esq. J. Stackpole, S. Jordan. 

1740 — S. Jordan, J. Stackpole, H. Scannnan. 

1741— E. Hill, S. Jordan, J. Stackpole. 

1742 — E. Hill, Rish worth Jordan, Samnel Scammati. 

1743— J. Gray, S. Jordan, A. Townsend, R. Patter- 
son, J. Davis. 

1744— J. Gray, R. Jordan, E. Hill, R. Patterson, 
Robert Brooks. 

1745— J. Gray, E. Hill, R. Patterson, R. Jordan, Do- 
minicns Scamman. 

1746— R. Jordan, Thos. Emery, Chrisp Bradbury, 
J. Stfickpole, jr., S. Scamman, jr. 

1747 — J. Gray, R. Jordan, R. Brooks, S. Scamman, 
jr., C. Bradbury. 

1748 — J. Gray, Capt. Dan'l Smith, R. Jordan, G. 
Bradbury, S. Scammnn. 

1749J_J. Gray, J. Davis, R. Jordan, S. Scamman, jr. 
James Scamman. 

1750— R. Jordan, S. Scamman, J. Scamman, Jos. 
Dyer, Jno. Stackpole, jr. 



324 APPENDIX. 

1751 — R. Jordan, J. Scamman, S. Scamman, jr., J. 
Stackpole, jr., Jos. Dyer. 

1752-3 — R. Jordan, Esq., S. Scamnnan, jr., J. Scam- 
man, Jos. Dyer. 

1754 — R. Jordan, S. Scamman, jr., Trist. Jordan, J. 
Dyer. 

1755-6 — R. Jordan, S. Scamman, J. Dyer, T. Jor- 
dan, E. Hill, jr. 

1 757-8 — Capt. T. Jordan, J. Dyer, Amos Chase, Benj. 
Hooper, Jero. Hill. 

1759— J. Dyer, B. Hooper, J. Hill, A. Chase, Ebe- 
nezer Ayers. 

1760-1-2— S. Jordan, Capt. T. Jordan, A. Chase, J. 
Dyer, J. Hill. 

(Separation of the towns.) 

1763-4-5-6— R. Jordan, S. Jordan, J. Hill. 

1767— R. Jordan, J. Hill, Benj. Nason. 

1768-9-70— R. Jordan, J. Hill, B. Hooper. 

177]— R. Jordan, Obed Emery, E. Hill. 

1772-3-4— R. Jordan, J. Hill, Benj. Hooper. 

1775-6 — R. Jordan, Jos. Stimson, Allison Smith. 

1777 — R. Jordan, B. Hooper, B. Nason. 

1778— A. Smii.h, R. Jordan, Jos. Morrill. 

1780— John Dyer, A. Smith, B. Nason. 

1781 — R.Jordan, Capt. B. Hooper, James Emery, 

1782-3 — R. Jordan, B. Hooper, A. Smith. 

1784-5 — A. S'nith, John Dyer, Rob. Gillpatrick. 

1786-7 — R. Jordan, B. Hooper, J. Emery. 

1788— A. Smith, R. Gillpatrick, Josiah Hill. 

TOWN CLERKS. 

1717-34 — Humphry Scamman. 
1734-41 — Samuel Jordan. 
1741-80— Rish worth Jordan. 
1780-88— Jeremiah Hill, Esq. 

SELECTMEN OF SACO. 

1762-6 — Trist. Jordan, Amos Chase, Rob. Patterson. 
1767-8— T. Jordan, Thos. Cutts, Jos. Libby. 
1769— T. J'^rdan, A. Chase, J. Libln-. 
1770 — A. Ciiase, J. Libby, R. Patterson. 



APPENDIX. 325 

1771— T. Cutts, A. Chase, T. Jordan. 
1772-3 — A. Chase, T. Jordan, R. Patterson. 
1774-9 — A. Chase, T. Jordan, Dea. Sam'l Scamraan. 
1780— Maj. Humph. Pike, Rich. Burke, Rob. Carll. 
1781-3 — Dea. Sam'l Scamman, Rich. Burke, H. Pike. 
1784-6 — Dea. SamM Scamman, Col. Humph. Pike, 
Capt. Joseph Bradbury. 

1787— Dea. S. Scamman, Col. H. Pike, S. Boothby. 
1788 — Dea. S. Scamman, James Coffin, H. Pike. 

TOWN CLERKS. 

1762-88— Tristram Jordan. 1788-96— Humph. Pike. 



The Treasurers of Saco, from the incorporation to 
the present time, have been the following : Ebenezer Ay- 
er, 1762 to 1771 ; Col. Thomas Cutts, 1772 to 1793 ; 
Deacon Samuel Scamman, 1794 to 1814 : Capt. Sam'l 
Moody, 1814 to 1819 ; Hon. William Moody, 1819 to 
1822 ; Daniel Granger, Esq. 1822 to 1824 ; Jonathan 
Tucker, jr. 1824 to 1830. The average tax for many 
years was £170, or $566 66 per annum. For the last 
ten years the town has raised about $5000 annually, ex- 
clusive of the highway tax. 
29 



ADDITIONS. 



The following document, with which the writer was favored too 
1 ate for its proper place, confirms the truth of what is said in the first 
part of this work, in relation to the grantees of the Plough Patent. 
"To THE HON. Gen. Colrt, now sitting at Boston, Dec. 1683 : 

The humble j)etition of Jeremiah Dumrner ^heweth, That where- 
as your petitioner's father, Richard Dummer, deceased, was v holly 
entrusted with the Plough Patent, and the management of sundry 
concerns relating to the same, by virtue of a power derived from the 
patentees, therein disbursed sundry sums of money, and afterward 
the said Patent being ordered home for England, the said Patentees, 
in consideration of his, the said Richard Dummer's trouble and charge 
in the management of their concerns about said Patent, granted un- 
to him 800 and odd acres of land, which was laid out at Casco Bay, 
as by evidences do appear : 

Your Petitioner therefore humbly prays, that this hon. Court will 
please to c<mfirm the said lands to the heirs of the said Richard Dum- 
mer, with such an addition as this hon. Court shall see meet. So 
shall he pray, &c. JEREMIAH DUMMER." 



The remark quoted on p. 12G, from the argument of Hon. Mr. Sav- 
age against the authenticity of the Wheelwright deed, was not in- 
tended to have the latitude there given to it, as we are now satisfied. 
The drift of that part of the argument is, that it appears incredible 
that five men and no others should be found on a particular spot for 
ten years after their first settlement in the country ; incredible that 
their number should not have been reduced by death or migration, or 
increased by fresh settlers. The general remark, "In no instance," 
&-C. taken in this restricted sense, is by no means at variance with 
what is known respecting our colonists. 



It 19 stated p. 161, chap.xii., that some of the inhabitants removed 
in the time of Philips war. By the kindness of a gentleman to 
whose friendly suggestions the writer has been often indebted, the 
following names of persons admitted inhabitants of Salem 1776, have 
been furnished: John Elson, Walter Mare, Arthur Wormstall, Wil- 
liam Frost, Arthur Hewes, Goodman Sille, Sj'meon Booth, Walter 
Penniwell, Gyles Ebbins [Hibbms], Elizabeth Wakefield, Humphry 
Case ;. all, it appears, from Winter Harbor. 



CORRECTIONS. 



The reader is desired to make the following corrections : P. 27, 1. 
i),£oT Imp e,re!xd lupe or Jupe ; someeditionsof Hubbard have it Lupe. 
P. G5, 1. 18 from bottom, it is wrongly stated that the son and grandson 
of Sir F. Gorges inherited his title. The error is repeated pp. 145 — 
202. For Benjamin, read Brian, p. 86, 1. 13. Maj. Pendleton uniform- 
ly wrote i in his baptismal narae, and not y. For rock read neck, p. 105, 
1. 10. In some copies, p. 128, 1. G, for Ed?oard, read Edmund ; and on 
same page, 1.22, for Barton read Barlow. P. 130, 1. 3 from bottom, 
for 1G75 read 1GG5. P. 1G4, 1. 34, for 1766 read 1676. P. 180, 1. 30, 
for 1655 read 1653. P. 182, 1. 5 from the bottom, for '-'in the part of 
ancient Pemaquid," &c. read, at a small settlement near the mouth 
of the Kennebec, now Phippsburg. Sir William was employed in 
shipbuilding in what is now Alna, according to a tradition of the place. 
P. 201, 1. 13, the date of the lirst settlement at Pemaquid should be 
1625. P. 239,1. 14, the time of deacon Hill's decease is wrongly sta- 
ted — having been several years later. Being infirm, he resigned his 
office in the church that year (1748). P. 250, 1. 14 ; Mr. Foss married 
Olive Smith, not Cole, as there stated. P. 297, 1. 28, a few copies 
have 1703 instead of 1793, the true date. P. 315, 1. 13, for and 
read et. 



NAMES OF SUBSCRIBERS IN SACO AND BIDDEFORD. 



SACO. 



Town of Saco, 100 copies 
Adams Augustus 
Adams George H. 
Adams John P. 
Adams John 
Andrews Asa 
Ayer Tristram 
Banks Rufus, 2 
Banks Horace 
Berry John, Jr. 
Berry Joseph, Jr. 
Billings John J. 
Billings Hiram 
Boothby Lemuel 
Boothby John, Jr. 
Bovvers Nathaniel W. 
Bradley Jonas C* 
Brown Josiah 
Bryant John 
Bryant Joseph 
Buckminster David 
Burbank Nathaniel 
Calef Josiah 
Calef John 
Carlton Daniel W. 
Carter Edwin W. 
Chadwick John 
Clark Samuel 
Cleaves Ebenezer 
Cleaves John T. 
Cleaves Robert 
Cole Wm. Pepperell M. 
Cole Daniel 
Condon John 
Condon William J. 
Cotton Edward 
Cutis Charles F. 
Cutter Abraham 
Dearborn John C. 
Dearing Joseph, Jr. 
Dearing William, Jr. 
Dodge Benjamin 
Dyer Thomas, 3d 
Ellis Thomas B. 
Emery Moses, 2 
Emerson Joseph 



Fairfield Seth S. 
Fairfield John, 2 
Fechem Samuel 
Fernald David 
Fogg Freedom 
Forskoll Abraham 
Foss Thomas 
Fowler Thomas 
Frost William 
Gale Daniel, 2 
Goodwin Amos G. 
Goodale Enoch 
Gordon Jeremiah 
Gookin David 
Granger Daniel 
Granger Joseph 
Granger Daniel T. 
GrafFam Josiah 
Gray James 
Green Reuben H. 
Greene Henry B. C. 2 
Greene Frederic, 2 
Green Ezra 
Green Christopher G. 
Haggens John 
Hale Edward 
Haley Alvan 
Hartley John F. 2 
Hayes Joseph M. 
Hayes Charles 
Hersey Abel 
Hight Elisha 
Hill Ichabod 
Hill Samuel 
Hill Waldo, jr. 
Hopkinson Nathan 
Howard Edward F. 
Huntress Mark 
Jameson Robert 
Johnsjn Samuel 
Johnson John 
Johnson Charles C. P. 
Jordan Tristram 
Jordan Ichabod 
Jordan Samuel S. 
Jordan Tristram, jr. 



*Died July 30, 1829. 



330 



Jordan Jaaies C 
Jordan Ichabod G. 
Kendall Jonas 
King Jonathan, 2 
Knight Edward 
Leavitt Hill 
Leland Joseph 
Leland Joseph W. 
Leonard Barnum 
Lincoln William 
Livingston Luther 1). 
Littlefield Stephen, 2 
McKenney Samuel 
Mellen John P. 
Milliken Nathaniel 
Milhken Edward, jr. 
Mixer Charles T. 
Moody Edmund* 
Moody Samuel, 3 
Moody Enoch 
Moody Oliver 
Moody Richard 
Moore Nathan 
Moulton Edward S. 
Nichols Rufus 
Odiorne Thomas G. 
Packard George 
Packard Hezekiah, jr. 
Patterson Robert 
Patterson Benjamin 
Parcher George 
Perkins Horatio N. 
Pike Benjamin 
Pike Elias 

Putnam Alexander C. 
Rice Samuel 
Rice Lawson 
Richards John K. 
Rogers Robert, 2 
Ross James L. 
Rumery James S. 
Sawyer Mrs. Margery 
Sawyer Stephen 
Sawyer Noah 



Sawyer Joel 
Sawyer James 
Sawyer Henry 
Scamman Nicholas 
Scamman Aaron 
Scamman George, 2 
Scamman John F. 
Scamman VVilliam 
Scamman Stephen 
Scamman Richard 
Scamman Frederic 
Scamman Andrew 
Scamman Samuel F. 
Shed Zachariah 
Shopley Ether, 2 
Shepley John 
Shannon Thomas W. 
Simpson Benjamin 
Sillea John 
Smith Alfred 
Spring John 
Spring Lewis M. 
Staples Jeremiah 
Storer Joseph C. 2 
Sutherland George 
Thacher George, 2 
Thornton Mrs. Sarah 
Thornton James B. 
Thorn Greenleaf 
Tucker Jona. 
Tucker Jona. jr. 5 
Tucker Ciideon 
Tucker Henry 
Tucker Nathaniel S. 
Tufts Thomas P. 
Tyler Abraham 
Ward Lauriston 
Warren Thomas 
Waterhouse Isaac 
Washbourn Timothy 
Winkley Francis 
Wood Ephraim 
Woodward Elkanah S. 



BIDDEFORD. 



Town of Btddeford, 50 copies 
Adams Charles 
Ayer Alvan B. 
Bradbury Moses, jr. 
Bradbury Onesiphorus 
Bettes Jeremiah 



Buker Carver 
Cleaves Daniel 
Coffin Edmund 
Cole Jacob K. 
Cole Samuel 
Cutts Thomas, 2 



^Died October 4, 1«29. 



331 



Cutts Dominicus, 2 
Dame Ivory 
Dean Ezra 
Deshon Daniel 
Drew Aaron 
Emery Isaac 
Emery Samuel 
Emery John P. 
Goodenow William 
Goodrich Aaron, jr. 
Kolman Daniel 
Hooper William P. 
Hooper Daniel S. 
Hussey Christopher 
Jordan Ralph Tristram 
Knox James 
Lassell Israel 



Locke Jesse 
Lowell Harrison 
Marsh Christopher 
Maxwell Marshall S. 
Merrill Samuel 
Nason John 
Palfrey George 
Smith Thomas 
Spring Seth 
Staples John 
Tarbox Andrew 
Thacher Mrs. Sarah S. 5 
Thacher Henry S. 5 
Thacher Josiah 
White Samuel 
Whitney Luke 
Whitaker John F. 



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